Adrian Leslie Stephen 1883–1948

When Adrian Stephen unfolded himself and rose, gaunt and immensely tall, to speak in our Scientific Meetings, we were always impressed by his force and his kindliness. He addressed us in slow, measured words, as if we were a Bench of very learned Judges on whose ears softly spoken words and carefully thought argument were the only possible mode of address. … At the Crematorium on May 5 of this year there was a background of unfunereal music, no word was said, no name mentioned. At a predetermined moment, none knew when or by whom the signal was given, and without alteration in the music, the coffin passed through those folding doors. In silence we gathered: in silence we watched his passing. Since this was his wish, reference to his life seems almost a breach of faith with the dead.

He was, however, a representative of a culture that has almost passed away. That generation of stern and brilliant thinkers among whom he lived did much to shape the course of England's destiny—their books we daily use, their formulations we still employ, and their lonely son we now mourn.

Adrian Leslie Stephen was born on October 27, 1883, the second son of Sir Leslie Stephen by his second marriage. His father was one of the Editors of the Dictionary of National Biography, his uncle, Sir James Fitzjames Stephen (1829–94), was the Jurist, author of General View of the Criminal Law of England (1863, 1890), and his aunt, Caroline Emilia Stephen (1834–1909), was famous among quietist religious communities for her piety and an almost strange mysticism. Going back a generation earlier, his grandfather was Sir James Stephen (1789–1859), Colonial Under-Secretary, author of Essays in Ecclesiastical Biography, whose brother, Sir George (1794–1879), lawyer and author, emigrated to Australia, where he died, and whose cousin, Sir Alfred (1802–1894), was Chief Justice of New South Wales. All these men were knighted for distinguished public service in law or administration, or to letters. The