He was a direct descendant of Clive of India and intended to pursue a career in the military, but a fall from a horse shattered those plans. This may be part of the reason why he was drinking - he was no longer fit enough to continue in his intended occupation.
May be the only cinema's Dr. Frankenstein to be taller (by about an inch) than the actor playing his monster, Boris Karloff. This inconsistency is not apparent in the films, since Karloff added on considerable size with lifts and padding.
Peter Lorre and Alan Mowbray were pallbearers at Clive's funeral, but neither friend James Whale nor wife Jeanne de Casalis attended, although she sent a spray of roses. She died in 1966 after writing her memoir "Things i Don't Remember." In it she makes no mention of her husband.
Severe alcoholism hastened his death from tuberculosis, heart problems, and pneumonia..