Stephenson was born into a family of Typefounders in
Sheffield. He became the chairman and managing director of Stephenson, Blake & Co Ltd, (1927) and later the Chair of the
Sheffield Gas Company. He became the treasurer of the University College of Sheffield, and later the first treasurer of its successor, the
University of Sheffield. Stephenson joined the
Liberal Party and was elected to
Sheffield City Council, becoming
lord mayor in 1908–09 and again in 1910–11. In 1910, he also became the pro-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, succeeding
Sir Frederick Mappin. He had been an officer in the
Territorial Force for many years and was Sheffield University's representative on the West Riding Territorial Association. He had been awarded the
Volunteer Decoration, held the substantive rank of
major from 1898 and the honorary rank of
lieutenant-colonel. On the outbreak of
World War I he was officer commanding 8th West Riding Battery in the III West Riding Brigade,
Royal Field Artillery (the 'Sheffield Artillery'). Appointed to command the
1/IV West Riding Brigade, RFA, he took it to the
Western Front in April 1915. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Order and twice
Mentioned in dispatches. At the
1918 general election, he became the first
Member of Parliament for the
Sheffield Park constituency, holding the seat as a
National Liberal in
1922, but dropping to a distant third place in
1923. He served as
High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1932.He also served as
Master Cutler in 1919 and later retired to
Hassop Hall. In 1936 he was created a
Baronet, of Hassop Hall in the County of Derby. ==Family==