Stevenson was born in
Edinburgh on 19 November 1949. He was educated at
Edinburgh Academy and the
University of Edinburgh, taking his MA in 1970.
Guildford, and in the university chaplaincy at the
University of Manchester. He was married, with four children. Stevenson held a PhD from the
University of Southampton and a
DD from the
University of Manchester where he lectured in
liturgy alongside his work as a chaplain. He was involved in the Church of England's participation in the
Porvoo Communion, not least because he was part-Danish. He was a Knight Commander of the Kingdom of Denmark's
Order of the Dannebrog. As Bishop, Stevenson was "a highly public bishop and loved the city's diversity. He was at home at
Cowes Week or enjoying the hospitality of the
Royal Navy, also moving among some of the most deprived communities in Britain." On 22 February 2009 he announced at a service at
Portsmouth Cathedral that he would retire in September 2009 due to continuing ill-health. He presided at his last confirmation service on 19 July 2009 at
St Peter's Church, Seaview, Isle of Wight. Stevenson commented in a statement: "There is a sadness in the decision but I know that it is the right one. I did wrestle with it and it has proved to be the most difficult decision of my life. I have loved being your Bishop and have never wanted to be Bishop of anywhere else." In retirement, Stevenson continued to write and give his support to fund-raising activities for
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, e.g. through musical events and the artistic work of his daughter Alexandra. Stevenson died on 12 January 2011, his
Independent obituary noting that "he was drinking champagne and listening to his favourite Bach only hours before his death". Both assisted at his funeral at
Portsmouth Cathedral on 26 January 2011, along with his great friend
Patricia Routledge. ==Works==