Understanding America’s Recent Appreciation for Thaddeus Stevens, the ‘Best-Hated Man’ in U.S. History

Reviving the Legacy of Thaddeus Stevens: Pennsylvania’s Abolitionist Hero

Thaddeus Stevens, a prominent abolitionist and congressman from Pennsylvania, played a key role in the fight against slavery in America. His life and work, often overshadowed, are now being recognized through various initiatives in Pennsylvania, including a portrayal in the 2012 film Lincoln and the establishment of the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy.

Thaddeus Stevens: A Celebrated but Forgotten Hero

Despite his significant contributions to the abolitionist movement, Stevens’ legacy was largely overlooked following his death in 1868. After lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, making him the third American to receive this honor, Stevens was soon forgotten, with his grave in Lancaster, Pennsylvania left untended.

Reviving the Legacy of Thaddeus Stevens

Today, efforts are underway to honor Stevens and his contributions to American history. A bronze statue of Stevens was recently erected in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and plans are in place to open the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy. This center aims to celebrate the contributions of Stevens and Smith, a freeborn woman of African American heritage who served as Stevens’ house manager and confidante.

Thaddeus Stevens: A Lifelong Advocate for Equality

Born into poverty and facing ridicule due to his clubfoot, Stevens overcame adversity to become a renowned trial attorney, businessman, and influential political figure. Throughout his life, he championed the principles of equality, abolition, and free education, which were reflected in his political career and personal life.

Stevens and the Fight Against Slavery

Stevens’ southeastern Pennsylvania was a hotspot of tension between pro-slavery and antislavery forces. Despite the risks, Stevens was actively involved in the resistance against slavery, employing free Black men and freedom seekers in his ironworks near Gettysburg. He also played a key role in the passage of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery and was a major architect of the 14th Amendment, which established equal protections under the law.

Remembering Thaddeus Stevens Today

Stevens’ memory is kept alive through initiatives like the Thaddeus Stevens Society, which strives to promote the legacy of this American hero. The unveiling of a statue in Gettysburg and the upcoming opening of the Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy are significant steps toward acknowledging and honoring Stevens’ contributions to American history.

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