William Staniforth (1749-1834) was an English surgeon, notable for being one of the first surgeons at the

Sheffield Royal Infirmary The Royal Infirmary was a hospital in Upperthorpe, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. History Founding an infirmary for Sheffield was suggested in an anonymous letter written 1789 and following a public meeting in April 1792, public subscri ...

. William was the son of Samuel Staniforth (1725-1811) and Mary Ash. His brother Samuel (1747-1824) was a linen draper, and lived next door to William on Castle Street. William was well known for his

Oculist Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a medic ...

business named ''Staniforth's Eye Ointment''. In the 1876 publication ''Reminiscences of Old Sheffield: Its Streets and Its People'' William is described as being 'the best operative surgeon and oculist in town'. Staniforth retired in 1819 and died on 21 August 1833. He was buried in Attercliffe Chapel. Prior to the Infirmary being redeveloped, a medallion was placed on the wall of the Board Room.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Staniforth, William 1740s births British surgeons People from Sheffield 1833 deaths Medical doctors from Yorkshire