John Stafford was the seventh President of Seton Hall. He was born March 13, 1857 in Paterson, New Jersey. He studied classics first at St. John's in Pennsylvania and then at Seton Hall College. He continued his studies at the American College in Rome, Italy and was ordained April 8, 1888. Upon his return to the United States, he served in various New Jersey parishes. He was appointed vice-president of Seton Hall in September of 1893 under Father Marshall, he was then selected as rector of St. Augustine's in Union Hill. He was elected as president of Seton Hall May 10, 1899.

At the time of Stafford's appointment, student enrollment at the college was 165. During his years as President the college grew and the College celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

In March 1903, Father Stafford was raised to the rank of Monsignor. In 1906, Stafford resigned from his position and became pastor of St. Paul the Cross Church in Jersey City, NJ. He then went to St. Patrick's Church in Jersey City, where he died, January 21, 1913.

Sources: Flynn, Joseph M. The Catholic Church in New Jersey. Morristown, NJ: ?, 1904. Kennely, Edward F. A Historical Study of Seton Hall College. Ph.D. dissertation, New York University, 1944.