born , Aug. 3, 1821, Cape May, N.J., U.S.
died Feb. 13, 1882, Philadelphia, Pa.
U.S. labour leader.
Apprenticed as a tailor, he became involved in reform movements such as abolitionism and utopian socialism , and in 1862 he helped organize the Garment Cutters' Association of Philadelphia. In 1869 he cofounded the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor , the first national labour union in the U.S., and became its first leader (or grand master workman). The high calling of the union and the hostility of union-busters led Stephens to favour secrecy and ritual in its meetings, which became increasingly controversial, as did Stephens's opposition to strike s. In 1878 he resigned his post.