Leslie Stephen

Date of Birth: November 28, 1832

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: February 22, 1904

Biography

Sir Leslie Stephen (1832-1904) was an eminent English author, critic, and historian, best known for his role as the founding editor of the “Dictionary of National Biography.” Born into a wealthy family, Stephen received an exceptional education, attending Eton College and later Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Initially, he pursued a career in the clergy, but his evolving agnosticism led him to resign from his religious posts. He then embarked on a prolific literary career, contributing to various periodicals and authoring several important works on philosophy and literary criticism. His notable publications include “History of English Thought in the Eighteenth Century” and “The Science of Ethics.” Stephen was also the father of famous modernist writer Virginia Woolf and painter Vanessa Bell. His intellectual legacy continues to be influential in literary and philosophical circles.

5 Interesting Facts about Leslie Stephen

1. Leslie Stephen was knighted in 1902 for his contributions to literature and history.

2. He was the father of Virginia Woolf, one of the foremost modernist literary figures of the 20th century.

3. Stephen was a notable mountaineer and founding member of the Alpine Club in London.

4. He edited the first 26 volumes of the “Dictionary of National Biography,” a monumental biographical reference work.

5. Leslie Stephen’s home, the Hyde Park Gate in London, became a center of intellectual and cultural gatherings.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leslie Stephen

1. “The truth cannot be asserted without denouncing the falsehood.”

2. “Chance is but the pseudonym of God for those particular cases which he does not choose to subscribe openly.”

3. “The object of all the sciences is to coordinate our experiences and to bring them into a logical system.”

4. “Life is a tragedy full of joy.”

5. “The chief essentials for a philosopher are a capacity for wonder, and a profound sense of ignorance.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Leslie Stephen is not well-documented, but his influence and intellectual contributions far exceeded any financial measure.

Children

Leslie Stephen had four children with his second wife, Julia Prinsep Duckworth: 1. Vanessa Bell (1879-1961) – A prominent painter and interior designer, associated with the Bloomsbury Group. 2. Thoby Stephen (1880-1906) – A promising intellectual who unfortunately died young. 3. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) – An influential modernist author and one of the foremost literary figures of the 20th century. 4. Adrian Stephen (1883-1948) – A psychoanalyst and writer.