George Stephen

Who was George Stephen?

Sir George Stephen Q.C., was a solicitor, author and anti-slavery proponent.

Stephen was the fourth and youngest son of James Stephen, C.B., by his marriage with Ann, only child of Henry Stent, of Stoke Newington. He was the brother of the Right Hon. Sir James Stephen, for many years Under-Secretary of State in the Colonial Office, whose policy he for a long period initiated and controlled. Born in 1794 at Saint Kitts, George Stephen was originally intended for the medical profession; but after spending three years in the study of anatomy, and going through a two-years' course at Magdalen College, Cambridge, which he left without graduating, after doing brilliant work, he entered the office of Messrs. Kaye & Freshfield, solicitors to the Bank of England. Having served his articles, he commenced practice on his own account, and was engaged by the Government to obtain evidence against Queen Caroline, of whose guilt he was fully assured. It was, however, in connection with the movement for the abolition of slavery in the British colonies that he mainly distinguished himself.