Thaddeus Stevens

Date of Birth: April 4, 1792

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: August 11, 1868

Biography

Thaddeus Stevens was a prominent American politician and a fierce advocate for abolition and civil rights during the 19th century. Born on April 4, 1792, in Danville, Vermont, Stevens rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential members of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a leading figure in the Radical Republican faction and played a crucial role in the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which aimed to abolish slavery and establish equal rights for all citizens. Stevens began his career as a lawyer after graduating from Dartmouth College in 1814. He settled in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he became a successful attorney and an outspoken advocate for public education and anti-slavery causes. Elected to Congress in 1849, Stevens became known for his uncompromising stance on the issues of slavery and civil rights. During the Civil War, he was a key ally to President Abraham Lincoln, although he often pushed for more radical measures than Lincoln was willing to endorse. After the war, Stevens was instrumental in the Reconstruction era, advocating for the rights of freed slaves and pushing for harsh penalties on the Southern states that had seceded. His efforts were met with significant resistance, but his legacy as a champion for justice and equality endures to this day. Thaddeus Stevens died on August 11, 1868, and was buried in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

5 Interesting Facts about Thaddeus Stevens

1. Thaddeus Stevens was one of the few members of Congress who refused to sign the Constitution of the Confederate States of America when it was presented.

2. He was a staunch advocate for the Homestead Act, which provided land to settlers in the Western United States.

3. Despite his wealth, Stevens chose to be buried in an integrated cemetery, reflecting his lifelong commitment to equality.

4. Stevens helped establish Pennsylvania’s public school system, believing that education was essential for democracy.

5. His home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, served as a station on the Underground Railroad, aiding runaway slaves.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thaddeus Stevens

1. “The future condition of the conquered power depends on the will of the conqueror.”

2. “Equality before the law is the cornerstone of the American republic.”

3. “I repose in this quiet and secluded spot, not from any natural preference for solitude, but, finding other cemeteries limited as to race by charter rules, I have chosen this that I might illustrate in my death the principles which I advocated through a long life: Equality of man before his Creator.”

4. “There can be no fanatics in the cause of genuine liberty.”

5. “The greatest measure of the nineteenth century was passed by corruption, aided and abetted by the purest man in America.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Thaddeus Stevens’ net worth was estimated to be around $100,000, a considerable sum for the 19th century, equivalent to approximately $3 million today.

Children

Thaddeus Stevens never married and had no biological children. He was, however, a guardian to several children, including his nephews and other young relatives, whom he supported and helped educate.