In early life Clifford co-operated with Edward Bulwer, Charles Dickens, and other men of letters and artists in forming the Guild of Literature and Art, which was incorporated by private act of parliament (17 & 18 Vict. c. liv) in 1854. Clifford was a member of the council. The guild failed in its purposes, and Clifford and Sir John Richard Robinson, the last surviving members of the council, wound up its affairs in 1897 by means of an act, the Guild of Literature and Art (Dissolution) Act 1897 (60 & 61 Vict. c. xciii), drafted by Clifford. They distributed the Funds and landed property (at Knebworth) between the Royal Literary Fund and the Artists' General Benevolent Institution.
Provided by Wikipedia