Graham Foster Clark was born in Durban on 14 September 1912. He was the son of Professor Hugh Clark and Mrs M A Clark. He matriculated at Durban High School in February 1931. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of South Africa through the then University College of Natal. He married on 2 January 1939.
He was a vice president of the Institute of Town Clerks of Southern Africa from 1965-1967 in Cape Town and became its president from 1967-1969. He served in the City Treasurer’s and Town Clerk’s Departments in Durban from April 1931-1938 before he moved to Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, where he worked as an assistant town clerk of the Municipality of Umtali from 1938-1970. He also served as treasurer of the Municipality of Umtali from 1938-1940 and from 1945 until he took his early retirement in June 1970.
He moved to Cape Town after retirement and worked for Messrs. Chetwyn and Hands, chartered accountants – audit inspector – Provincial Audit of City of Cape Town and worked as a town clerk and treasurer of Pinelands from October 1971 to 30 September 1978.
Outside of work, his interests were sport generally, cine-photography, numismatics and Rotary Club activities. He was a member of the City and Civil Service and Western Province Cricket Clubs
He was also involved in community development and in the 1959 New Year’s Honours List was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II to be an Officer of Order of the British Empire.