Thaddeus Stevens (1792–1868) was the leading Radical Republican in the Civil War–era House of Representatives. Stevens was an unapologetic abolitionist who supported free labor, the enlistment of African Americans in the military, and, later, the redistribution of slaveholders’ lands to former slaves. He played a major role in securing the passage of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments. Stevens also led Congress in impeaching Andrew Johnson, proposing and pushing through the resolution for impeachment just...