Stevens, Thaddeus, 1792-1868

Lawyer from Pennsylvania who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1859 and served as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. After the war, he led the Radical Republicans, opposing both Lincoln and then Andrew Johnson, endorsing military occupation of the South. When Johnson opposed ratification of the 14th Amendment, Stevens led the call for his impeachment.

From the description of Letter, Dec. 7, 1865. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 55662319

Lawyer and U.S. representative of Pennsylvania.

From the description of Thaddeus Stevens papers, 1811-1927 (bulk 1850-1868). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79322313

Stevens was a lawyer and member of Congress 1849-53 and 1859-68.

From the description of ALS, 1842 June 7, Harrisburg, [Pa.] to Col. Frazier. (Haverford College Library). WorldCat record id: 44647810

Stevens was a lawyer, businessman, abolitionist, congressman from Pennsylvania, and a founder of the Republican Party.

From the description of Papers, 1835-1935 (inclusive), 1853-1872 (bulk). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 122468771

From the guide to the Papers, 1835-1935 (inclusive), 1853-1872 (bulk)., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

American lawyer and legislator.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Gettysburg, to N. Biddle, 1838 Aug. 27. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270574753

Biographical Note

• 1792, Apr. 4: Born, Dansville, Vt.
• 1810 - 1814 : Attended the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., and graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.
• 1816 - 1826 : Practiced law, Gettysburg, Pa.
• 1826: Became partner of James D. Paxton & Company, an iron company
• 1833 - 1841 : Elected to Pennsylvania house of representatives
• 1838: Delegate to Pennsylvania state constitutional convention
• 1840: President, Wrightsville, York and Gettysburg Railroad Co.
• 1848: Elected representative to Congress on the Whig ticket
• 1853: Left Congress in protest to Whig moderation on the issue of slavery
• 1855 - 1856 : Organized the Lancaster County, Pa., Republicans and attended the Republican National Convention
• 1858: Reelected to Congress
• 1860: Delegate to the Republican National Convention
• 1861: Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
• 1865: Member, Joint Committee on Reconstruction
• 1866: Under his leadership Congress passed a Civil Rights Bill and a revised Freedman's Bureau Bill over Andrew Johnson's veto
• 1868: Member, committee to draft articles of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson and a manager of the case before the Senate
• 1868, Aug. 11: Died, Washington, DC

From the guide to the Thaddeus Stevens Papers, 1811-1927, (bulk 1850-1868), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)