author
Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper) Kane
1822–1883
A fierce advocate, Civil War officer, and ally of the early Latter-day Saints, he led a life that crossed law, politics, reform, and the American frontier. His story links Philadelphia influence with some of the most contested chapters of 19th-century U.S. history.
1 Audiobook
The Mormons: A Discourse Delivered Before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
by Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper) Kane
About the author
Born in Philadelphia in 1822, Thomas Leiper Kane trained in the law and became known as an abolitionist, philanthropist, and public-minded reformer. He is especially remembered for helping the Latter-day Saints during their westward migration and for acting as an important mediator between church leaders and the U.S. government.
During the American Civil War, Kane served the Union as an officer, helping raise the famous Pennsylvania "Bucktails" and later serving as a general. Accounts of his life consistently describe him as a determined, energetic figure whose influence reached well beyond formal office.
Kane died in 1883, but his legacy has lasted in several different corners of American history: Civil War memory, western expansion, and the history of the Latter-day Saints. He remains a striking example of a 19th-century public figure whose convictions drew him into causes far larger than himself.