Samuel Gompers was an influential American labor leader and the founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). Born in 1850 in London, England, he immigrated to the United States as a child. Gompers dedicated his life to improving working conditions, wages, and hours for laborers, advocating for the rights of workers through organized labor. Gompers served as the AFL's president for nearly 40 years, promoting the idea of collective bargaining. He believed that unions should focus on practical issues rather than political ideologies. His efforts helped shape the labor movement in the United States and laid the groundwork for future labor rights advancements.