hamilton smith, entitled, an uncommon woman the life of lydia hamilton smith co-published by lancaster history and penn state press. i would like to ask of you to silence your cell phones if you haven't done so so far. i will do the same in woman explores the life of lydia hamilton smith a prominent mixed race business woman in lancaster, pennsylvania, a figure of rising science and progressive action. smith was instrumental to stephen's success as. he led the drive to end slavery, impeach andrew and push the ratification of the 13th, 14th and 15 amendments to the constitution. in this biography, mark kelley reveals how smith's served the cause of abolition managed stevens household acquired property in her own right, eventually running to boarding houses and cross racialized social boundaries. as many of you are aware, lancaster history engaged in the planning and fundraising to create the thaddeus stevens and lydia hamilton smith center for history and democracy in, the house on south queen street, where mr. stevens law office was located, where stevens and smith lived with her two s