Alexander Hamilton Stephens (February 11, 1812 – March 4, 1883) was an American lawyer and politician from Georgia, and Vice President of the Confederate States of America throughout the American Civil War. His Cornerstone Speech of March 1861 defended slavery in the most uncompromising terms, though he later tried to distance himself from its sentiments. In the course of the war, he became increasingly critical of President Jefferson Davis’ policies, especially conscription and the suspension of habeas corpus. In February 1865, he was one of the commissioners who met with Lincoln at the abortive Hampton Roads Conference to discuss peace terms. After his arrest for his part in the rebellion, he was released and served in Congress, being elected Governor of Georgia shortly before his death.