William Stephens (Australian politician)

The Hon William Stephens
The Hon William Stephens, Minister for Public Instruction, 1907
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Woolloongabba
In office 12 May 1888 – 28 March 1896
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Thomas Dibley
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for South Brisbane
In office 28 March 1896 – 28 August 1904
Preceded by	Charles Midson
Succeeded by	William Reinhold
In office 18 May 1907 – 5 February 1908
Preceded by	William Reinhold
Succeeded by	Peter Airey
Member of the Queensland Legislative Council
In office 1 July 1912 – 23 March 1922
Personal details
Born	William Stephens (1857-11-07)7 November 1857 South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Died	30 April 1925(1925-04-30) (aged 67) Southport, Queensland, Australia
Resting place	South Brisbane Cemetery
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Ministerial
Other political affiliations	Opposition
Spouse(s)	Pauline Ann Caroline Effey
Relations	Thomas Blacket Stephens (father)
Occupation	Company director

William Stephens (1857–1925) was a businessman and politician in Queensland, Australia. He was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council.

William Stephens was born on 7 November 1857 at South Brisbane, the son of Thomas Blacket Stephens and his wife Ann (née Connah). He was educated at Brisbane Grammar School.

Stephens was elected on 12 May 1888 to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in Woolloongabba. In the 1893 colonial election, he successfully contested the seat of South Brisbane which he held until 27 August 1904, when he was defeated in the 1904 state election. He contested South Brisbane again in the 1907 election and was successfully, representing the electorate from 18 May 1907 to 5 February 1908, when he was again defeated in the 1908 election. During this last period, he was Secretary for Public Instruction and Agriculture from 19 November 1907 to 18 February 1908.

In the 1912 election, Stephens unsuccessfully contested Buranda.

On 1 July 1912, he was appointed for life to the Queensland Legislative Council, a position he held until the Council was abolished on 23 March 1922.