George Boutwell was a state legislator, the youngest Governor of Massachusetts, the first commissioner of the internal revenue, congressman, treasury secretary, and US senator. He was also a staunch antislavery advocate, close ally of Abraham Lincoln, and champion of black civil rights. Throughout his seven decades of public service, Boutwell left an unmistakable mark on American history. How is it then that you’ve likely never heard of him?

In the latest episode of the History Tavern Podcast, I spoke with Jeffrey Boutwell about his new book Boutwell: Radical Republican and Champion of Democracy.