Charles Edward Clayton was born in Brighton, Sussex, England in in April 1854 and was articled to Thomas Simpson (1825–1908). In 1876, with George Holford (1851-1938) who had also trained with Simpson, he formed the architectural partnership Holford & Clayton in Brighton. In 1882 Ernest Black (1855-1917) joined the practice which was renamed Holford, Clayton & Black. Holford left the following year, at which point the firm became Clayton & Black. During his years with the practice Clayton was mainly responsible for ecclesiastical commissions, He died in Brighton on 5 February 1923.
See: Clayton & Black
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001