Samuel Gompers

Lore & Background

His father was a cigar maker. At age six, he attended the Jewish Free School briefly, and three months after his tenth birthday he was sent to work as an apprentice cigar maker. He continued his studies in night school, learning Hebrew and studying the Talmud. 15.

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.