Anthony Comstock was a 19th-century American social reformer known for his strong opposition to obscenity and vice. He played a significant role in the passage of the Comstock Act in 1873, which aimed to suppress the distribution of obscene materials, including contraceptives and information about sexual health. Comstock believed that moral decay was linked to the availability of such materials and sought to protect society, particularly women and children, from what he viewed as harmful influences. As a result of his efforts, Comstock became a controversial figure, celebrated by some for his moral stance and criticized by others for infringing on personal freedoms. His legacy continues to influence discussions around censorship, reproductive rights, and the regulation of information in the United States.