Stevenson was born on 27 October 1812 at Netherinch, Campsie, son of Margaret Horne and farmer John Stevenson of Gartclash. Robert was educated at Campsie School and the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. He was licensed by Presbytery of Dumbarton on 23 October 1832, and was tutor to A. J. Dennistoun-Brown of Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, with whom he travelled extensively on the continent of Europe.[1]
He served as missionary in the Second Charge, Kilmarnock, and was assistant at Crieff from 1839, being ordained there 6 May 1840. He was clerk to the Presbytery of Auchterarder from April 1843.
In June 1879, he resigned and his position at St George's was filled by Rev Archibald Scott.[1]
He died on 15 November 1886 and is buried near the centre of the northern 19th-century extension of Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh. He is buried with his wife and his son-in-law, the artist Alexander Garden Sinclair (1859–1930).
Family
He married Frances Cadell, daughter and coheiress of Robert Cadell of Ratho, on 26 January 1853. They had six children together:
