James Stephen (British politician)
James Stephen (3 January 1789 – 14 September 1859) was a British lawyer, civil servant, and politician known for his significant role in shaping British colonial policy, particularly in relation to slavery and the administration of the colonies. He served as the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1836 to 1847, earning the nickname "Mr. Mothercountry" due to his considerable influence.
Stephen was born in London to James Stephen, a lawyer and anti-slavery campaigner, and Anne Storer. He was educated at Magdalen College, Cambridge, and called to the bar in 1813. He initially practiced law but soon transitioned to a career in the Colonial Office.
Stephen's career in the Colonial Office began in 1813 when he was appointed counsel to the Colonial Office and the Board of Trade. He gradually rose through the ranks, becoming Assistant Under-Secretary in 1825 and Permanent Under-Secretary in 1836. In this role, he wielded considerable power, advising successive Secretaries of State on matters relating to colonial governance.
A committed abolitionist like his father, Stephen played a crucial role in the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. He drafted much of the legislation and ensured that it included provisions for the welfare of newly freed slaves. He also advocated for the protection of Indigenous populations in the colonies and promoted policies aimed at improving their lives.
Beyond his anti-slavery efforts, Stephen was instrumental in developing administrative structures for the expanding British Empire. He advocated for a more centralized and efficient colonial administration.
Stephen retired from the Colonial Office in 1847 and was appointed Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge University in 1849. He held this position until 1859, shortly before his death. He was succeeded in the professorship by Charles Kingsley.
He was knighted in 1847.
Stephen's legacy is complex. He is remembered for his contributions to the abolition of slavery and his advocacy for more humane colonial policies. However, he also played a significant role in perpetuating the British Empire, a system that involved the subjugation of numerous peoples around the world. His influence on British colonial policy was undeniable, and his actions continue to be debated and analyzed by historians.
He was the father of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, a prominent judge and writer, and Sir Leslie Stephen, a noted biographer and literary critic and the father of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell.