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Birth of Thaddeus Stevens
Stevens was born in Danville, Vermont in 1792. His father left him at an early age, leaving he and his three brothers to grow up in poverty with his mother, Sally Stevens. -
Graduation from Dartmouth
In 1814, Stevens graduated from Dartmouth College, then going on to study law on his own. -
First Law Firm
After passing the bar, Stevens set up his first law practice in 1816, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He became famous for defending runaway slaves, often for no pay at all. -
Election to Pennsylvania State Legislature
After building his reputation as a lawyer, Stevens was elected to the state legislature in Pennsylvania. He served there from 1833 to 1842. -
House of Representatives
Stevens served two terms in the House of Representatives from 1849 to 1853. His most famous role during this time was his strong opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. -
Back in the House
Stevens ran for Pennsylvania representative again in 1858 and won. This time in the House he was appointed chair of the very powerful Ways and Means Committee. At the time of his election, he was a strong supporter of Lincoln. However, he became less supportive during the course of the Civil War. He was a constant critic of Lincoln's moderate actions against the South. Stevens preferred a more radical approach, hoping to annihilate and recolonize the South. -
Chairman of Reconsrtuction
In mid-1865, Stevens was appointed chairman of Reconstruction. He was opposed to Lincoln's and Johnson's 10% Plan, as it was too lenient. Due to President Johnson's inactive nature and his multiple vetoes, Stevens was a leading supporter of Johnson's impeachment. -
Death of Thaddeus Stevens
Stevens died a few months after the aquittal of President Johnson. He stayed true to his stance on equality to his last word. He had engraved on his grave, "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 the Creator."
