Lyman Beecher was an American clergyman and a leading figure in the Second Great Awakening, a religious revival movement in the early 19th century. A Presbyterian minister, Beecher was known for his fiery sermons and strong stance on moral and social issues, including his advocacy for temperance and abolitionism. As the father of several influential children, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Beecher's legacy extends into American religious, social, and literary history.