Gompers, Samuel

Samuel (1850-), a leader of American labor. He was born in London and while yet a child of ten was apprenticed to a shoemaker. Such education as he received was gained after working hours. At thirteen he came to America and engaged in cigarmaking. He rose to the presidency of the cigarmakers' union. He was influential in forming the Cigar Workers' International Union and, later, the American Federation of Labor. He was elected president of the latter organization in 1882. He stood from the first for freedom from alliance with any political party. He was named by common consent editor of the Federation organ and did a large part of the thinking for the organization. For years Mr. Gompers gave his services to the cause of labor. During the great strikes of 1886 he traveled extensively at his own expense. In later years, when the Federation was in shape financially, he was accorded a salary. Mr. Gompers has declined desirable appointments, nominations for public office, and lucrative employment repeatedly, preferring to devote his energies to the cause of trade unions. In 1909 he traveled extensively in Europe. See Federation Of Labor