Stafford, city (1991 pop. 60,915) and district, Staffordshire, W central England, on the Sow River, above its junction with the Trent. Stafford's chief industry is the manufacture of electrical goods; other products are concrete, shoes and shoe-repairing machinery, and salt. The county seat of Staffordshire, the city has several half-timbered houses and two old churches that were restored by George Gilbert Scott Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, 1880–1960, English architect, submitted designs in the competition for the proposed Liverpool Cathedral while still a pupil. They were accepted (1903), but because of the winner's young age G. F. Bodley was placed in partnership with him.
..... Click the link for more information. . Izaak Walton Walton, Izaak, 1593–1683, English writer. He wrote one of the most famous books in the English language, The Compleat Angler; or, the Contemplative Man's Recreation.
..... Click the link for more information. was born there; his cottage at nearby Shallowford is a museum. Richard Sheridan Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, 1751–1816, English dramatist and politician, b. Dublin. His father, Thomas Sheridan, was an actor and teacher of elocution and his mother, Frances Sheridan, published two novels and a successful play.
..... Click the link for more information. represented Stafford in Parliament from 1780 to 1806.

Stafford

Town and borough (pop., 2001: 120,653), county seat of Staffordshire, west-central England. Founded by the daughter of Alfred the Great, the town had its own mint from the reign of Aethelstan to that of Henry II. After being chartered in 1206, it grew as a market town. Parliamentarians demolished its 11th-century walls and castle in 1643 during the English Civil Wars. It is situated on the London-Birmingham-Manchester road and rail routes; its industries include electrical and mechanical engineering. It was the birthplace of Izaak Walton, and its Swan Hotel was associated with Charles Dickens. The borough of Stafford includes a large rural agricultural area and the towns of Stone and Stafford.

Stafford¹

Sir Edward William. 1819--1901, New Zealand statesman, born in Scotland: prime minister of New Zealand (1856--61; 1865--69; 1872)

Stafford²

a market town in central England, administrative centre of Staffordshire. Pop.: 63 681 (2001)