A British engineer, born at Atherstone in Warwickshire on December 12, 1865. In 1888 Stanton entered Owens College, Manchester, and followed the engineering course in the Whitworth Laboratory under Osborne Reynolds. After taking the degree of B.S.C. in 1891 at the Victoria University, with first-class honors, he continued to work in Reynolds' Laboratory, at first as junior and later as senior demonstrater, until 1896. From 1892 to 1896 he was also resident tutor in mathematics and engineering at the Hulme Hall of Residence, Manchester. In June, 1896, Stanton obtained a post as senior assistant lecturer in engineering at University College, Liverpool, under Professor Hele-Shaw. In December, 1899, he went from Liverpool to Bristol University College as Professor of Engineering.
In July, 1901, he was offered the position of superintendent of the engineering department of the National Physical Laboratory in Bristol. This post he continued to hold until his retirement from official duties in December, 1930, at the age of 65, one year before his death.
Stanton's main field of interest was fluid flow and friction, and the related problem of heat transmission. From 1902 to 1907 he executed a large research program concerning wind forces on structures, such as bridges and roofs. After 1908, the year when the Wright brothers made their first aeroplane flights in Europe, Stanton devoted to problems of aeroplane and airship design and the dissipation of heat from air-cooled engines.