Henry Morse Stephens was born on October 3^rd, 1857, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was son of the Scottish doctor John Edward Morse Stephens. He began his education at Radley College (Oxfordshire), departing then to France, where he was educated by a private tutor. He later joined Haileybury College (Hertfordshire), remaining there for five years. In January 1877 he enrolled at Balliol College (Oxford), beginning his advanced studies. He graduated in 1882 and completed his master’s degree at the same institution in 1887. He became a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in November of 1881, and a librarian in the Leeds Library (Leeds) in November of 1887, remaining there until 1890.

Stephens began his career as a lecturer at the Oxford University Extension System, although he has collaborated with the institution for a short period. Between 1892 and 1894 he taught the discipline of History of India in Cambridge. By this time, he wrote for several British newspapers, such as The Speaker, The Daily Chronicle, and The Academy, being also a London correspondent for the Indian newspaper The Statesman. He emigrated to the United States of America in 1894, becoming a lecturer at Cornell University, in Ithaca. There he taught the subjects of History of Modern Europe and of English History, standing out as one of the most appreciated lecturers among the students: “Professor Stephens’s friendship and hospitality is one of the happiest memories. He did not keep open house, and he did not condescend. He attracted about him a circle of friends. Undergraduates who were admitted to that circle found themselves, in his rooms at the southeast corner of Cascadilla Place, just as welcome as professors” (Cornell Alumni News, 24-4-1919, p. 342). The closeness that distinguished the relationship of Stephens with colleagues and students enabled him to establish the Kipling Club, promoting periodical meetings. Invited by Benjamin Ide Wheeler, then the director of the University of California and a former colleague of Stephens at Cornell University, the Scottish historian moved to California in 1902. There he became lecturer at the university and director of the University Extension in Berkeley – a position he held until 1909.

Although he has dedicated to teaching in the various institutions he belonged to, his practice was not limited to teaching. He was an active member of the American Historical Association (AHA), having held several positions over the years.

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