Thomas Worsley Staniforth was born in 1845. He became a noted writer of hymn tunes, including among his works 'O Thou our souls´ salvation', the hymn which was "appointed to be sung at St. Paul´s Cathedral, on the occasion of the general thanksgiving for the recovery of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . . . February 27th 1872".

Staniforth was also organist and choirmaster at St. Paul´s Church, Brighton, and later organist and music master at Highgate School, London. In 1904-1905, he contributed articles on music and church history to the Sheffield Telegraph.