Stuart Lee was educated at Grafton High School, Armidale Teachers' College and the University of Sydney. During World War II he served with the armed forces. Lee worked as a school teacher and also taught in the Department of English at Sydney Teachers' College and at the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. At the time of his retirement in 1982 Lee was Acting Principal of Sydney Teachers' College.
Lee was an active member of the Sydney Branch of the English Association and was awarded life membership of that organisation in recognition of his years of service as Editorial Secretary (1952-1961), Honorary Secretary (1961-1976) and President (1976-1989).
Lee's particular research interests were A. G. Stephens (q.v.) and the Bulletin and he contributed articles on both subjects to Southerly and Australian Literary Studies.
