Born in Bridgeport, CT on March 28, 1904 Alexander "Alec" Stern came to San Francisco with his family as an infant. He was raised there in Cow Hollow and was educated at Polytechnic High School. After graduating from Columbia University, he returned to California and entered the CSFA. He worked his way through school as a riveter in shipyards and playing in a dance band. Stern was a member of the art department of the San Francisco Chronicle for eight years. During 1935-44 he worked in NYC on art commissions.

Upon returning to California in 1945, he established a studio-home and printing plant in San Mateo where he produced Christmas cards, etchings, and prints. Stern died in San Francisco on Nov. 10, 1994. Exh: SFAA, 1924-25; Peninsula AA; Chicago and Philadelphia Societies of Etchers (many awards). In: MM; NY Public Library