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Samuel Gompers (January 27, 1850 - December 13, 1924) was an American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and held the position as president of the organization for all but one year from 1886 until his death in 1924. He promoted harmony among the different craft unions that comprised the AFL, and opposed industrial unionism. Focused on higher wages and job security, he fought against both socialism and the Socialist Party. After 1907, he formed alliances with the Democratic Party at the local, state and national levels. He enthusiastically supported the American entry into World War I, opposing Eugene V. Debs and other leftists who were against the war.
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