Thaddeus Stevens
Thaddeus Stevens (born April 4, 1792) was an American Republican leader. He was one of the most powerful members of the United States House of Representatives from 1849 until his death in 1868.
Thaddeus Stevens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 9th district | |
| Assumed office March 4, 1859 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Dickey |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 8th district | |
| Assumed office March 4, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | John Strohm |
| Succeeded by | Henry A. Muhlenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 4, 1792 Danville, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 1868 (aged 76) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Federalist, Anti-Masonic, Whig, Republican |
| Profession | Politician |
| Signature |  |
He was chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Stevens was a witty, sarcastic speaker and confident party leader. He dominated the House from 1861 until his death. Stevens helped create the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.[1] He also helped with the act that helped the Reconstruction of the United States.[1]
Early life
Stevens was born in Danville, Vermont on April 4, 1792.[2] He went to Dartmouth College and the University of Vermont. Stevens was never married and had no children. He was in a relationship with his black housekeeper even when slavery was legal. He wore a wig because he was bald.
Political career
He wrote much of the financial legislation that paid for the American Civil War. Stevens and Senator Charles Sumner were the prime leaders of the Radical Republicans during the war and Reconstruction era. He worked and supported Abraham Lincoln's plan to end slavery and the U.S. reconstruction plan. He was part of Andrew Johnson's impeachment.
Death
Stevens died on August 11, 1868 in Washington, D.C. from a stomach infection, aged 76. He was buried in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Personal life
Stevens never married. However, there were rumors about his 20-year relationship (1848–1868) with his widowed housekeeper, Lydia Hamilton Smith (1813–1884).[3][4] She was a light-skinned African-American; her husband Jacob and at least one of her sons were much darker than she was.[5]
Culture
He was played by actor Tommy Lee Jones in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biography movie Lincoln.
Thaddeus Stevens Media
Portrait of Stevens by Jacob Eichholtz now owned by Gettysburg College
Stevens's home on Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Stevens in a thoughtful pose
Based on ill-considered exchanges between Johnson and hecklers during the Swing Around the Circle, this Thomas Nast cartoon excerpt shows Johnson delivering a pardon to Davis as Stevens and Wendell Phillips hang in the background.
Color print of a Harper's Weekly woodcut by Theodore R. Davis depicting Stevens making his final argument to the House during March 2, 1868 debate on the articles of impeachment
Illustration from Harper's Weeklyof Stevens (right) and John A. Bingham formally notifying the Senate of Johnson's impeachment
Johnson impeachment managersSeated L-R: Benjamin Butler, Stevens, Thomas Williams, John Bingham;Standing L-R: James F. Wilson, George S. Boutwell, John A. Logan
Stevens's grave in Lancaster
Stevens's casket lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, guarded by black soldiers.
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Thaddeus Stevens
- ↑ Congressional Biography
- ↑ "Who was Lydia Hamilton Smith?". Stevensandsmith.org. February 6, 2010. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ↑ Woodley, Thomas Frederick (1969) [1937]. The Great Leveler: Thaddeus Stevens. New York: Stackpole Sons. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-8369-5104-2.
- ↑ Brodie, pp. 86–87
Other websites
Media related to Thaddeus Stevens at Wikimedia Commons
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Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Stevens, Thaddeus. |
- Stevens and Smith Historic Site
- Thaddeus Stevens Society
- Thaddeus Stevens's Legacy Archived 2007-01-29 at the Wayback Machine