Robert Stephens (historian) facts for kids

Robert Stephens (1665–1732) was an important historian and public servant in England. He was chosen to be the Historiographer Royal in 1727. This meant he was the official historian for the king. Robert Stephens was also the first person to publish many private letters written by the famous philosopher Francis Bacon.

Early Life and Education

Robert Stephens was born in 1665. He was the fourth son of Richard Stephens, whose family came from Eastington in Gloucestershire. His mother was Anne, the daughter of Sir Hugh Cholmeley.

Robert first went to Wotton school. Later, he joined Lincoln College, Oxford University in 1681. However, he left the university without getting a degree. In 1689, he became a lawyer at the Middle Temple. He also helped start the Society of Antiquaries in 1717. This was a group for people who loved studying old things and history.

Career and Family

Robert Stephens was related to Robert Harley, a powerful Earl. Because of this connection, Harley helped Stephens get a job as the chief solicitor of the customs. In this role, he was a lawyer who dealt with taxes on goods brought into the country. He worked there until 1726.

After that, he took over from Thomas Madox as the Historiographer Royal. Robert Stephens passed away on November 9, 1732, near Thornbury, Gloucestershire. He was buried in Eastington. His wife, Mary Stephens, who was also his cousin, put up a monument there to remember him.

His Work with Francis Bacon

Around 1690, Robert Stephens started collecting and copying letters and writings by Francis Bacon that had not been published before. His first book, Letters of Sir Francis Bacon, came out in London in 1702.

After this book was published, Robert Harley gave Stephens more old papers. He asked Stephens to see if there were any more of Lord Bacon's writings that should be shared. Stephens then prepared another book called Letters and Remains of the Lord Chancellor Bacon. He wrote the first part of this book himself. The rest of the book was put together from his notes by his friend John Locker and later by Stephens's wife.

Robert Stephens also kept a list of all the letters and papers related to Bacon that he had collected. Many of these documents are now missing. Experts like Spedding, Ellis, and Heath even made a list of the missing papers in their 1874 edition of Bacon's Works. It's possible these papers might still be found one day!