[1] In 1937, he matriculated at Grey College in Bloemfontein and then went to the University of Cape Town, where he obtained his BA degree in 1940 and his LLB in 1944.
Steyn was a first lieutenant in the infantry of the 6th Armoured Division and fought in Italy during World War II.
He was permanently appointed judge of the Free State Provincial Division on 1 June 1974.
[2] From September 1977 to August 1978, Steyn served as first Administrator-General of the then South West Africa.
It is widely acknowledged that he did good work in preparing for the independence of SWA.