Stephen Corry was born in Malaysia in 1951. He won a scholarship to Gresham's School, where he excelled in rifle shooting. At the age 16, he left school with the desire to travel and learn other languages. He travelled to places like Nepal, Turkey and India. As his mother was born in India, he was particularly interested in learning about the country. At 18 he found himself at Mount Everest, Nepal. With no money or support, Corry had to rely on the local people for sustenance. Before his interaction with the Himalayan tribes, he had always believed that British civilisation and development were the best. His experience with these people completely changed his way of thinking. He found them to be living very fulfilling lives without electricity or cars. He became even more interested in learning about the tribal people of the world. When he returned to London he thought he would feel out of place. However, in 1972, he found the organisation Survival International. The organisation was re-launching at the time, and he was happy to find there people who thought the way he did. Influenced by his travels, and authors such as Jiddu Krishnamurti, he quit the University of Paris, Jussieu, and volunteered. After becoming a member, Corry sought to go to Brazil to study the indigenous people there, but was asked to stay in London and do research.