Edward P. Cliff, the son of Edward Parley and Geneva Rachel Brown Cliff, was born in Heber City, Utah, September 3, 1909. He graduated with a B. S. degree from the College of Forestry at Utah State University in 1931, and received his Ph.D. in 1965. His successful career as a professional forester began at the Wenatchie National Forest in Washington state as a Junior Range Examiner in 1931. Edward P. Cliff held various assignments to the Supervisor of the Siskiyou National Forest in the state of Washington during 1939-1941. Other titles also held included: Supervisor of the Fremont National Forest at Lakeview, Oregon, 1941-1944; Assistant Director of Range Management in the Washington D. C. office, 1944-1946; and Assistant Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain region, 1950-1951.

In 1952, Edward P. Cliff permanently moved to Washington D. C. and was appointed Assistant Chief in charge of National Forest Resources Management, in which he worked closely with research and cooperative state and private forestry programs.

Upon his appointment as Chief Forester in 1962, and with direct responsibility for management of the U.S. national forests, Mr. Cliff provided leadership in coordinating the multiple use management of national forests, as well as furthering the cause of conservation. He also guided the Forest Service through periods of controversy, when government policies were questioned.

Edward P. Cliff retired from the Forest Service in May of 1972.