Sir James Stephen

Sir James Stephen was the Permanent Under Secretary of the Colonial Office from 1836 to 1847. This job involved overseeing much of Britain's colonial policy. In his home country of England, James Stephen was passionate about putting a stop to slavery. He wrote the Slavery Abolition Act which became law in England in 1833.

James Stephen's care for oppressed people extended to his work for Australia. Stephen did not travel to Australia. He worked in England. He tried to make sure the natives were treated fairly. But he also had to battle against others in power and couldn't always do what he thought best.

He believed Australia should be governed by Christian principles. He helped choose many Christian leaders for the growing colonies of Australia. It was said that his fine character made him one of the greatest civil servants of the 19th century.

Sir James Stephen was a committed Christian who put the things of God first in his life. He believed Australia could and should be a great Christian Nation. It was said by people who knew James Stephen that he had wisdom, experience and was essentially righteous.