~ 1850 - 1924
Samuel Gompers was an American labor union leader and key figure in the labor movement, born on January 27, 1850, in London, England, and immigrating to the United States in 1863. He founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886 and served as its president for nearly 40 years, advocating for workers' rights, fair wages, and improved working conditions. Gompers is known for promoting the idea of collective bargaining and for his significant role in shaping organized labor in the United States.