Thaddeus Stevens (1792-1868) was an American politician and a fierce abolitionist who played a critical role in the United States Congress during the Civil War and the Reconstruction period that followed.

Born in rural Vermont, Stevens moved to Pennsylvania as a young man and became a successful lawyer. He soon became involved in local politics and was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1833. Stevens was a staunch opponent of slavery, and he used his position in the state legislature to advocate for the abolition of slavery and the expansion of civil rights for all Americans, including African Americans.

In 1848, Stevens was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served for the next 22 years. As a congressman, he was a leader of the Radical Republican faction, which was characterized by its uncompromising opposition to slavery and its commitment to racial equality. Stevens was one of the most vocal and influential opponents of slavery in Congress, and he played a key role in the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery throughout the United States.

During the Reconstruction period, Stevens was a strong advocate for the rights of newly freed slaves, and he fought against efforts to limit their civil rights and political power. He was a vocal opponent of President Andrew Johnson's policies, which he believed were too lenient towards former Confederates and too hostile towards African Americans.

Stevens was also a strong advocate for education, and he worked to establish public schools and universities in Pennsylvania. He was a supporter of women's rights and was an early advocate for women's suffrage.

Despite his many accomplishments, Stevens was not without his detractors. He was known for his sharp tongue and his willingness to engage in political battles with his opponents. He was often criticized for his abrasive manner and his uncompromising views, but he remained steadfast in his beliefs until his death in 1868.