24 Facts About Alfred Stephen

Alfred Stephen resigned his position at the end of 1832 on account of ill-health and died on 21 December 1833.

Alfred Stephen returned to St Christopher for some years and then went to London to study law.

Alfred Stephen arrived at Hobart on 24 January 1825 and on 9 May was made solicitor-general, and 10 days later, crown solicitor.

Alfred Stephen allied himself with Governor Arthur who had clashed with Joseph Tice Gellibrand, the attorney-general.

Alfred Stephen always took an extremely high-minded attitude about his own conduct in this matter.

In 1829 Alfred Stephen discovered a fatal error in land titles throughout the Australian colonies.

In January 1833 Alfred Stephen was gazetted attorney-general and showed great industry and ability in the position.

Alfred Stephen was forced to resign in 1837, his health having suffered much from overwork, but after a holiday he took up private practice with great success.

On 30 April 1839, he was appointed as acting-judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and he arrived in Sydney on 7 May In 1841, when judge Willis went to Port Phillip, Alfred Stephen became a puisne judge and from 1839 to 1844 he was a judge of the administrative court.

Alfred Stephen published in 1843 his Introduction to the Practice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and on 7 October 1844, he was appointed acting chief justice.

Alfred Stephen was to hold the position until 1873 and during that period not only carried out his judicial duties but advised the government on many complicated questions which arose in the legislature.

Alfred Stephen was able to give the council the benefit of his experience by framing legislation dealing with land titles, the legal profession, and the administration of justice.

Alfred Stephen continued to hold his seat until November 1858 when judges were precluded from sitting in parliament.

Alfred Stephen had administered the government between the departure of the Earl of Belmore in February 1872 and the arrival of Sir Hercules Robinson in June.

Alfred Stephen was appointed lieutenant-governor in 1875 and several times administered the government.

Alfred Stephen was a member of the legislative council from 1875 until 1890, taking an active part in the debates, and from 1880 he was president of the trustees of the national gallery.

Alfred Stephen resigned from the legislative council in 1890 and lived in retirement.

Alfred Stephen was still comparatively vigorous when he passed his ninetieth birthday in August 1892 and never completely took to his bed.

Alfred Stephen faded quietly out of life on 15 October 1894, his intellect bright and clear to the last.

The Alfred Stephen family is a prominent legal dynasty in Australia.

Sir Alfred was the son of John Stephen, a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Alfred Stephen married Virginia, daughter of Matthew Consett, who died in 1837.

Alfred Stephen later married Eleanor, daughter of the Rev William Bedford, who died in 1886.

Alfred Stephen was knighted in 1846 and was a made a CB in 1862, KCMG in 1874, GCMG in 1884, and privy councillor in 1893.