and work. The opening of the biography introduces the context and motivation behind the author's writing. Leslie Stephen acknowledges his own lack of legal expertise but expresses a desire to emphasize his brother’s humanity and intrinsic qualities over a legalistic account of his achievements. The initial chapters outline the family history, beginning with their forebear James Stephen, who encountered numerous struggles, including imprisonment for debt. Leslie explores the family's dynamics, touching upon the social and educational influences that impacted Sir James Stephen's upbringing and eventual career, setting a personal and historical lens through which the reader may view the life of an influential legal figure. (This is an automatically generated summary.)