 De Vere became a Roman Catholic in 1847, and defended the re-creation of the English Catholic hierarchy in 1851.He was a Liberal Party MP for Limerick County from 1854 to 1859, and was appointed High Sheriff of County Limerick in 1870.Stephen Edward became 4th Baronet of Curragh in 1880 when his oldest brother, Vere Edmond, 3rd Baronet, died with no male heir.