 Stewart was born on 1 September 1884 in <unk> , Aberdeenshire , Scotland , to John Stewart , a Presbyterian minister , and Margaret Mackintosh . He was educated at the local public school in <unk> . An excellent student , he earned a scholarship to Fettes College at Edinburgh . In 1903 , he attended the University of Edinburgh and then transferred to Trinity College , Cambridge , from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907 , majoring in Classical Studies . During his tertiary education he also served in the Territorial Force as a lieutenant in the 6th Battalion , King 's Regiment ( Liverpool ) . 
