Stephen was a man of unusual ability, a good administrator and a capable lawyer, interested in science, art and music, all of which he had studied. In 1831 Stephen was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court at Hobart, went to South Australia in 1838, and became advocate-general at Adelaide and a member of the South Australian Legislative Council. When Governor John Hindmarsh left the colony in 1838 Stephen administered the colony under great difficulties from July to October. There were no funds in the treasury, and Stephen had to advance the pay of the police force from his own pocket. He "carried out a heavy duty with honour, zeal, intelligence and integrity". On 9 February 1838, Stephen was appointed advocate-general and crown solicitor in South Australia. Stephen was Colonial Secretary of South Australia from October 1838 to July 1839. He served as Acting Governor in the interregnum between Governors Hindmarsh and Gawler, appointing Robert Bernard to succeed him as crown solicitor and advocate-general. Stephen was appointed colonial secretary by the incoming Governor. In July 1839 Hindmarsh and his wife Susan transferred ownership of the Section 353 from themselves to Stephen and the surveyor Arthur Fydell Lindsay. Stephen became involved in land speculation, the promotion of which led to his being accused of forgery and perjury. Stephen was acquitted, but was unsuccessful in an action for libel brought against the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register in connection with this matter. Stephen went to England to continue his law studies and was called to the bar early in 1845. He then returned to Adelaide and practised as a barrister, and moved to Melbourne about 1851 where he also practised with success. Stephen was in England from 1853 to 1856 and then returned to Australia. In the 2 July 1856 edition of the Melbourne Argus, an unfavourable article was printed regarding Stephen, part of which stated "We are unwilling to say more about Mr. George Milner Stephen than will suffice to save the constituency he persists in seeking to represent from the regrets that would assuredly follow his election..." In August 1859 Stephen was elected a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Collingwood and served until July 1861.
Spirituality and faith healing
A few years later Stephen went to Sydney where for two years he was acting parliamentary draughtsman. He became interested in spiritualism and believed that he could heal people by the "laying on of hands". For many years both in Sydney and Melbourne he practised in this way, and received hundreds of letters testifying to the benefits received by his patients. While his early unfortunate experience in speculating in land was continually brought up against him in later years, and militated against his public career, Stephen's work as a healer created a great deal of interest at the time.
Death
Stephen died at the Brunswick, Victoria home of his adopted daughter, Mrs. Tomlinson, following surgery to remove a large bladder stone.
Family
The Stephen family is a prominent legal dynasty in Australia. His father, John Stephen, was a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and his brother, Sir Alfred Stephen, , was Lieutenant-Governor and Chief Justice of New South Wales. Another brother, John Stephen, was the earliest created alderman for the City of Melbourne. George married Mary, daughter of Sir John Hindmarsh on 9 July 1840 They had seven children, including an adopted daughter:
Harold Wilberforce Hindmarsh Stephen journalist and MLA for Monaro in New South Wales parliament
