Author. He was an English author as well as a philosopher and biographer. Born the son of Lady Jane Venn and Sir James Stephen, an undersecretary in the Colonial Office. He was educated at Eton and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He wrote philosophical articles for "Fraser's Magazine" and "Fortnightly Review." A collection of such works was published in 1873 as "Essays on Free Thinking and Plain Speaking." From 1871 to 1882, he edited "The Cornhill Magazine," to which he also contributed literary criticism. He also published "The Alps, The Playground of Europe" in 1871, "History of English Thought in the Eighteenth Century" in 1876, "The English Utilitarians" in 1900, and "Science of Ethics" in 1882. Most significant, however, were his contributions to the "Dictionary of National Biography," for which he served as founding editor from 1882 to 1891 and contributed some 378 biographies. After the death of his first wife, Harriet Thackery, in 1875, he married Julia Duckworth in 1878, with whom he had four children, including artist Vanessa Bell and writer Virginia Woolf. His name was included in the Coronation honors list of June of 1902 when he was created Knight Commander of the Bath. That year, his health began a long decline, and he died at age 71.
Author. He was an English author as well as a philosopher and biographer. Born the son of Lady Jane Venn and Sir James Stephen, an undersecretary in the Colonial Office. He was educated at Eton and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He wrote philosophical articles for "Fraser's Magazine" and "Fortnightly Review." A collection of such works was published in 1873 as "Essays on Free Thinking and Plain Speaking." From 1871 to 1882, he edited "The Cornhill Magazine," to which he also contributed literary criticism. He also published "The Alps, The Playground of Europe" in 1871, "History of English Thought in the Eighteenth Century" in 1876, "The English Utilitarians" in 1900, and "Science of Ethics" in 1882. Most significant, however, were his contributions to the "Dictionary of National Biography," for which he served as founding editor from 1882 to 1891 and contributed some 378 biographies. After the death of his first wife, Harriet Thackery, in 1875, he married Julia Duckworth in 1878, with whom he had four children, including artist Vanessa Bell and writer Virginia Woolf. His name was included in the Coronation honors list of June of 1902 when he was created Knight Commander of the Bath. That year, his health began a long decline, and he died at age 71.
Bio by: Iola
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