Sir James Stephen (1789-1859) was born at Lambeth on 3 Jan. 1789, the son of James Stephen (1758-1832). He entered Trinity Hall, Cambridge, in 1806, and was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1811 (LL.B., 1812). He became counsel to the colonial department in 1813, with responsibility for reporting on act of the colonial legislatures. In 1814 he married Jane Catherine (d. 1875), daughter of Jonn Venn, rector of Clapham. Their children included Sir James Fitzjames (1829-1894), 1st Baronet and judge. In 1825 Stephen became permanent counsel to the colonial office and to the board of trade, and in 1834 assistant under-secretary of state for the colonies. He was appointed to the regius professorship of modern history at Cambridge in 1849, and held a professorship at the East India College, Haileybury, 1855-1857. He died at Coblentz on 14 Sep. 1859.
From the guide to the Sir James Stephen: Papers, c. 1807-1953, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)
