Samuel Thurston was an American politician and lawyer who played a significant role in the early history of the Oregon Territory. Born in 1816, he moved to the region in the 1840s and became a prominent advocate for its admission as a state. Thurston served as the first delegate to the United States Congress from the Oregon Territory from 1849 to 1851. In addition to his political career, Thurston was involved in various legal matters and contributed to the development of the territory's legal framework. His efforts helped shape the governance of the Oregon Territory during a crucial period of its growth and establishment.