Background
Stevenson was born in Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland, the son of a builder.
Stevenson was born in Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland, the son of a builder.
He studied at the Trustees" Academy, Edinburgh.
From 1860 he took an eight-year apprenticeship under the sculptor William Brodie. He worked as assistant to Sir John Steell on the Prince Albert Monument forming the centrepiece of Charlotte Square in Edinburgh. Here he added figures of "Science & Learning" and "Labour" on the corners.
He became known for his portrait sculptures executed in marble and bronze.
His best known and most iconic work is the 1869 bronze figure of William Wallace on the Wallace Monument near Stirling. He lived in a townhouse at 2 Castle Terrace facing onto Street Cuthbert"s Churchyard at the west end of Princes Street.
The monument is sculpted by Henry Snell Gamley. He did not marry. They are buried together in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh with a bronze portrait relief head of William by Henry Snell Gamley on their monument.
He became a member of the Royal Scottish Academy.