Samuel Gompers
Founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor.
Samuel Gompers was a British-born American cigar maker who became a central figure in the labor movement. He founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and led it for most of its early decades, serving as its president from 1886 to 1894 and again from 1895 until his death in 1924. Gompers focused on uniting the various skilled craft unions within the AFL, working to reduce disputes between them over which trades controlled certain jobs. He believed that thorough organization and collective bargaining were the primary tools for improving workers’ lives, with the immediate goals of securing shorter workdays and higher wages. For Gompers, these gains were the essential first steps toward freeing labor from exploitation.
Politically, Gompers opposed the AFL’s member unions engaging in direct political action to elect allies or defeat opponents. He generally supported Democratic candidates, though he occasionally backed local Republicans. He was a vocal opponent of immigration from China. During World War I, Gompers and the AFL threw their full support behind the war effort, working to prevent strikes and maintain morale while also pushing for higher wages and expanding union membership. He strongly opposed antiwar labor groups, particularly the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).
Gompers was born into a Jewish family in London’s East End and began working as an apprentice cigar maker at age ten. After his family immigrated to New York City, he joined a cigar makers’ union at fourteen. He learned German from socialist coworkers and was influenced by the ideas of Karl Laurrell, who steered him toward trade unionism rather than socialist political parties. Gompers later rebuilt a local cigar makers’ union by introducing high dues and benefits for unemployment, sickness, and death. He argued that workers were powerless individually and needed to unite to elevate the lowest-paid workers to a decent standard of living.
- field
- Labor union leadership
- nationality
- British-born American
- known_for
- Founding and leading the American Federation of Labor (AFL)
Quick Facts
- Office1
- 1st and 3rd President of the / American Federation of Labor
- Term Start1
- December 16, 1895
- Term End1
- December 11, 1924
- Predecessor1
- John McBride
- Successor1
- William Green
- Term Start2
- December 8, 1886
- Term End2
- January 1, 1895
- Predecessor2
- Office established
- Office3
- 2nd and 5th President of the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions
- Term Start3
- December 13, 1885
- Predecessor3
- William McClelland
- Successor3
- Office abolished
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Samuel Gompers was a British-born American cigar maker and labor union leader who founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and served as its president for most of the period from 1886 until his death in 1924. He emphasized harmony among the various craft unions within the AFL, working to minimize jurisdictional disputes. Gompers advocated for thorough organization and collective bargaining as the primary means to achieve shorter work hours and higher wages, which he viewed as essential first steps toward emancipating labor. He opposed AFL member unions engaging in political action to elect allies or defeat enemies, though he personally supported Democrats and occasionally local Republicans. Gompers led opposition to immigration from China. During World War I, he and the AFL energetically backed the war effort, working to avert strikes, boost morale, and raise wage rates while expanding union membership. He strongly resisted antiwar labor groups, particularly the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Born into a Jewish family in London’s East End, he immigrated to New York City in 1863. As a young cigar maker, he joined a local union and later became president of a Cigar Makers’ International Union local, where he introduced high dues and programs for out-of-work, sick, and death benefits. He remained first vice president of the Cigar Makers’ International Union until his death.
Reader's Guide
Samuel Gompers's significance lies in his founding and long leadership of the American Federation of Labor, which became the dominant labor organization in the United States. He emphasized practical economic gains—shorter hours and higher wages—through collective bargaining and organization, rather than political action or socialist revolution. Under his guidance, the AFL grew in strength and largely displaced the Knights of Labor. Gompers supported the war effort during World War I and opposed antiwar labor groups such as the Industrial Workers of the World. He also led opposition to immigration from China. His legacy includes the establishment of a craft-union model that shaped American labor relations for decades, though his focus on skilled workers and his opposition to political action drew criticism from more radical labor movements.
Did You Know?
- Gompers was born Samuel Gumpertz in London's East End and immigrated to New York City at age 13.
- He joined the Cigar Makers Local Union No. 15 at age 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Samuel Gompers important?
He argued that collective bargaining, shorter hours, and higher wages were the practical levers for freeing workers from economic exploitation. His insistence on unity among separate craft unions created a durable model that influenced labor policy for generations.
What is Samuel Gompers most known for?
He is best remembered as the founder and longtime president of the AFL, the body that gave American craft workers a single, powerful voice. His own experience as a cigar maker lent him real credibility when he spoke on behalf of working people.
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