A former Progressive Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Englerston, Sir Clifford was born on February 6, 1922, at Acklins Island to Charles and Aremilia Darling. He attended the Acklins Public School and public schools in New Providence. The former taxicab driver served as general secretary of The Bahamas Taxicab Union for eight years and as president for 10.

His Excellency Sir Clifford Darling, KT., J.P., is the fourth Bahamian-born Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Sir Clifford was sworn in at Government House on January 2, 1992, by Chief Justice Joaquim Gonsalves-Sabola, succeeding His Excellency Sir Henry Taylor, Kt., J.P who retired on January 1. Sir Clifford died on December 27, 2011. He was 89-years-old.