Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Taverner

(55,476 posts) Sun Jan 13, 2013, 07:01 PM Jan 2013

Posthumous Thaddeus Stevens Fan Club Here! [View all]

I saw Lincoln a few weeks ago, and loved TLJ's portrayal of Thaddeus Stevens.

So doing a bit of research, I found this guy was all the movie showed and more.

Self made man, born very poor. He had an African American wife, although couldn't marry because of Miscegenation Laws. He would have had to wait until 1968.

He wanted to completely rebuild the South on egalitarian aims.

The man did not stop with African Americans - he defended ALL ethnic and religious minorities.

He, in short, was a total badass.

29 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Posthumous Thaddeus Stevens Fan Club Here! [View all] Taverner Jan 2013 OP

A man a century ahead of his time. RomneyLies Jan 2013 #1

He's a century ahead of OUR time. SunSeeker Jan 2013 #9

Exactly. I beleive the Klan would not permit him to live, if alive today Taverner Jan 2013 #21

The movie "Lincoln" Lifelong Protester Jan 2013 #2

Yeah, I did the same. I was surprised that he wasn't really in "Team of Rivals" mucifer Jan 2013 #3

BTW there is a a free online lecture series from Yale dealing with slavery, the civil war and mucifer Jan 2013 #4

got to check that out - thanks! rurallib Jan 2013 #7

Proud PA's adopted son! WinkyDink Jan 2013 #5

And proud VT's native son. cali Jan 2013 #22

It shows you how history and culture can turn dsc Jan 2013 #6

A badass even in death Orrex Jan 2013 #8

K&R SunSeeker Jan 2013 #10

A fan here. Have been since I attended Thaddeus Stevens Junior H.S. back in 19XX. Unfortunately, LoisB Jan 2013 #11

Tommy Lee Jones was just great as Stevens in "Lincoln" Faygo Kid Jan 2013 #12

He was a great choice for that role. JoePhilly Jan 2013 #13

Honestly, although he did a great job Drale Jan 2013 #29

I used to live on Thaddeus Stevens Rd... handmade34 Jan 2013 #14

Way to go VT! n/t Agschmid Jan 2013 #15

Cool! progressoid Jan 2013 #18

I love this guy, Blue_In_AK Jan 2013 #16

He smuggled slaves to freedom - part of Underground Railroad JPZenger Jan 2013 #17

+1000 Taverner Jan 2013 #20

I didn't know the African-American wife bit. Interesting! Odin2005 Jan 2013 #19

Yes, officially she was his long-time housekeeper JPZenger Jan 2013 #25

Thaddeus Stevens is one of those historical persons that you just wish Skidmore Jan 2013 #23

One of the greatest Americans most have never heard of. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #24

It's too bad Lincoln and Stevens weren't founding fathers graham4anything Jan 2013 #26

He was a good man but Drale Jan 2013 #27

He was my favorite character too proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #28