What is Thaddeus Stevens?
{{Infobox officeholder |name = Thaddeus Stevens |image = Thaddeus Stevens - Brady-Handy-crop.jpg |state1 = [[Pennsylvania]] |district1 = [[Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district|9th]] |term_start1 = March 4, 1859 |term_end1 = August 11, 1868 |preceded1 = [[Anthony Ellmaker Roberts|Anthony Roberts]] |succeeded1 = [[Oliver James Dickey|Oliver Dickey]] |state2 = [[Pennsylvania]] |district2 = [[Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district|8th]] |term_start2 = March 4, 1849 |term_end2 = March 4, 1853 |preceded2 = [[John Strohm (congressman)|John Strohm]] |succeeded2 = [[Henry A. Muhlenberg]] |party = [[Federalist Party (United States)|Federalist]], [[Anti-Masonic Party|Anti-Masonic]], [[Whig Party (United States)|Whig]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | birth_date = {{birth date|1792|4|4}} | birth_place = [[Danville, Vermont]], U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1868|8|11|1792|4|4}} | death_place = Washington, D.C., U.S. |spouse= |religion= |profession=[[Politician]] |footnotes= |signature=T Stevens Signature.svg }} '''Thaddeus Stevens''' (April 4, 1792 &ndash; August 11, 1868) was an [[United States|American]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] leader. He was one of the most powerful members of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1849 until his death in 1868. He was [[chairman]] of the powerful House [[United States House Committee on Ways and Means|Ways and Means Committee]]. Stevens was a witty, sarcastic speaker and confident party [[leader]]. He dominated the House from 1861 until his death. Stevens helped create the [[14th Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]].<ref name=HW>[http://14thamendment.harpweek.com/HubPages/CommentaryPage.asp?Commentary=06Bios13 Thaddeus Stevens]</ref> He also helped with the act that helped the [[Reconstruction of the United States]].<ref name=HW/> ==Early life== Stevens was born in [[Danville, Vermont]] on April 4, 1792.<ref>[http://bioguide.co