William Stephens, of Heversham, Westmorland, and his wife Alicia, née Daniell.
[2] He was then appointed Professor of Geology and Palaeontology at the Sydney University, a post which he retained until his death.
Among other offices held by him at the time of his death, which took place in Darlinghurst, Sydney on 22 November 1890,[1] were those of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Free Public Library, Trustee of the Sydney Museum, President of the Linnean Society, President of the Royal Geographical Society, and President of the Zoological Society.
[2] Stephens was survived by his wife Anna Louise, née Daniell (married 8 July 1859), a son and a daughter.
[1] Stephens is commemorated in the scientific name of a species of Australian venomous snake, Hoplocephalus stephensii.