For an extended period he was in public life, and whether connected with municipal, professional, or national affairs was always the same public-spirited, progressive citizen, ever seeking the welfare of the constituency which he represented. He was born in Montreal in 1832, the second son of Harrison and Sarah (Jackson) Stephens. The father removed from the state of Vermont to Montreal in 1828 and for years was a leading merchant of the city. George W. Stephens was educated at high school, afterward entering business circles. He became identified with the firm of Law Young & Company, but after a time determined to enter upon professional activities, and with this end in view took up the study of law, following a law course at McGill University, which conferred upon him the B. C. L. degree. Called to the bar in 1863, he at once entered upon active practice and for some time was a partner of the late John A. Perkins, an eminent barrister of Montreal. Mr. Stephens personally conducted the cause celebre of Connolly versus Woolrych, which he brought to a successful conclusion. The case was a notable one, awakening widespread interest among the legal fraternity and establishing the validity of an Indian marriage, celebrated according to the custom of the tribe. After a number of years devoted to successful law practice, Mr. Stephens was obliged to abandon the profession in order to assume the management of his father’s estate, and proved himself equally capable, sagacious, farsighted and enterprising in that connection. His ability and his devotion to the general welfare led to his selection again and again for public office. In 1868 he was elected alderman of Montreal and for seventeen consecutive years remained a member of the city council, during which period he served on several occasions as acting mayor. He did much during that period toward shaping the policy of city affairs and upholding those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. In fact he became distinguished for his constant opposition to wrong-doing and dishonesty, and his stalwart support of a prudent and economical progressive administration. From the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise he advocated the principles of the liberal party and upon its ticket was elected to the provincial legislature, representing Montreal Centre in the Quebec assembly from 1881 until 1886, and so earnestly and faithfully guarded the public interests as to earn the title “watch dog.” At the general election of 1892 he was returned for Huntingdon and was reelected at the general election in 1897. On the formation of the Marchand administration in May of the latter year he was called into the cabinet, without portfolio. He was the organizer of the Good Government Association of Montreal and in January, 1897, received the thanks of that body for his “vigorous efforts and judicious action” in the Quebec assembly in reference to certain local measures.