Origins & Early Life

John Lloyd Stephens (November 28, 1805 – October 13, 1852) was an American explorer, writer, and diplomat. He was a pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America. He was also a driving force behind the building of the Panama Canal Railway in the 1850s, which in turn was instrumental to the construction of the Panama Canal. John Lloyd Stephens was born November 28, 1805, in the Township of Shrewsbury, New Jersey, in an area that would later become Red Bank, New Jersey.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was the second son of Benjamin Stephens, a successful New Jersey merchant, and Clemence Lloyd, daughter of an eminent local judge. The following year, the family moved to New York City, where Stephens received an education in the Classics at two privately tutored schools. At the age of 13, he enrolled at Columbia College, becoming a member of the Philolexian Society, and graduating at the top of his class four years later in 1822. After studying law with an attorney for a year, he attended the Litchfield Law School. He passed the bar exam after completing his course of study and practiced in New York City.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Stephens embarked on a journey through Europe in 1834 and went...

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