STEPHEN ROYCE was born in Tinmouth, Vermont. After graduating from Middlebury College, he studied law and then practiced in Berkshire and Sheldon, Vermont. He served in the state legislature and as a State’s Attorney. He was also a judge of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1829 until 1852, serving as Chief Justice for the last five of those years. He was elected to his first gubernatorial term as a Whig but became Republican after that party was formed, and his second election marked the beginning of what was to become 107 years of unbroken Republican leadership in the state. After leaving office, Royce retired to private life. He died in East Berkshire, Vermont.