Donald Grier Stephenson Jr.

Background

Donald Grier Stephenson Jr. was born on January 12, 1942, in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. He is a son of Donald Grier Stephenson, an attorney and judge, and Katherine Mason (Williams) Stephenson, a social worker.

Education

In 1964, Donald graduated summa cum laude from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Later, he continued his education at Princeton University, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Politics in 1966. The following year, in 1967, he attained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Politics from the same educational establishment.

Career

In March 1968 - January 1970, Donald served on active duty in the Military Intelligence Corps of the United States Army, having become a captain. He was assigned as a research associate to the faculty of the National War College in Washington, D.C.

From January 1, 1970 to June 30, 1973, Stephenson worked as an assistant professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College. In July 1, 1973, he was promoted to the post of an associate professor of Government, remaining in that position till June 30, 1981. Then, in July 1, 1981, Donald was appointed a professor of Government at the same college, the post he continues to hold these days. Besides, in November, 1989, he was made Charles A. Dana Professor of Government. In addition, in 1976-1979 and 1999-2002, Donald held the post of Department Chair at the same educational establishment.

Also, during his career, Donald has taken part in a number of conferences and symposiums, including PHC Leadership Symposium on the United States Constitution, that took place on June 2, 1986, and Conference on "European Perspectives on the American Constitution", held from July 2 to July 16, 1987. He also served as a guest lecturer at Marywood College and Taft Institute.

It's worth noting, that Donald authored and co-authored a number of books, including "American Constitutional Law: Introductory Essays and Selected Cases" (1954), "The Supreme Court and the American Republic: An Annotated Bibliography" (1981), "An Essential Safeguard: Essays on the United States Supreme Court and Its Justices" (1991), "Campaigns and the Court: The U.S. Supreme Court in Presidential Elections" (1999), "The Waite Court: Justices, Rulings and Legacy" (2003), "The Right to Vote: Rights and Liberties Under the Law" (2004) and others. He also wrote many articles.

Currently, Donald continues to serve as a professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College, where he is also Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of Government.

Achievements

• Donald Grier Stephenson Jr. is particularly known as a professor of Political Science and professor of Government, who penned a number of articles and books, including "American Constitutional Law: Introductory Essays and Selected Cases" (1954), "The Supreme Court and the American Republic: An Annotated Bibliography" (1981), "An Essential Safeguard: Essays on the United States Supreme Court and Its Justices" (1991), "Campaigns and the Court: The U.S. Supreme Court in Presidential Elections" (1999), "The Waite Court: Justices, Rulings and Legacy" (2003), "The Right to Vote: Rights and Liberties Under the Law" (2004) and others.
  
  Stephenson is also a former United States Army Intelligence Officer with the rank of captain. He was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal in January 1970. His other awards include the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Humanities Grant, the Class of 1883 Fellowship, the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Supreme Court Historical Society Editorial Award, the Bradley R. Dewey Scholarship Award, among others.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Campaigns and the Court: The U.S. Supreme Court in Presidential Elections

    (Over two centuries of American history, the Supreme Court...)

    1999
  • American Constitutional Law: Introductory Essays and Selected Cases

    (This classic collection of carefully selected and edited ...)

    1954
  • An Essential Safeguard: Essays on the United States Supreme Court and Its Justices

    (This timely collection examines the record of current and...)

    1991
  • The Waite Court: Justices, Rulings and Legacy

    ("The Waite Court: Justices, Rulings and Legacy" presents ...)

    2003
  • The Right to Vote: Rights and Liberties Under the Law

    ("The Right to Vote: Rights and Liberties under the Law" t...)

    2004
  • The Supreme Court and the American Republic: An Annotated Bibliography 1981

Membership

Donald is a member of the American Political Science Association and the Midwest Political Science Association.

• member of Publications Committee

  Supreme Court Historical Society , United States

  2004 - 2013

• member of Editorial Board

  Supreme Court Historical Society , United States

  2014 - present

Interests

• outdoor activities, cooking

Connections

Donald married Ellen Claire (Walker) Stephenson on August 15, 1967. Their marriage produced two children - Todd Grier Stephenson and Claire Walker Stephenson Coyle.

Father:

Donald Grier Stephenson

Mother:

Katherine Mason (Williams) Stephenson

child:

Todd Grier Stephenson

child:

Claire Walker Stephenson Coyle

Wife:

Ellen Claire (Walker) Stephenson