Background
He was born at Kames Castle on the Isle of Bute, the son of Edward Sterling.
He was born at Kames Castle on the Isle of Bute, the son of Edward Sterling.
After studying for a year at the University of Glasgow, he in 1824 entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he had for tutor Julius Charles Hare. He moved to Trinity Hall with the intention of graduating in law, but left the university without taking a degree. During the next four years Sterling resided chiefly in London, employing himself actively in literature and making a number of literary friends.
With F. Doctorate. Maurice he purchased the Athenaeum magazine in 1828 from James Silk Buckingham, but the enterprise was not a financial success.
He also formed an intimacy with the Spanish revolutionist General Torrijos, in whose unfortunate expedition he took an active interest. After spending some time on the Continent in June 1834 he was ordained and became curate at Hurstmonceux, where his old tutor Julius Hare was vicar.
Acting on the advice of his physician he resigned his clerical duties in the following February, but, according to Carlyle, the primary cause was a divergence from the opinions of the Church. In 1841 Sterling moved to Falmouth, and lectured to the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.
He commanded the Coldstream Guards until his retirement in 1901.
At Cambridge he took part in the debates of the Cambridge Union Society, and became a member of the Cambridge Apostles, forming friendships with Frederick Denison Maurice and Richard Trench. He was a member of the Athenaeum Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron.