Powerful Portrait of a Labor Movement Pioneer

This photograph features Samuel Gompers, a pivotal figure in the American labor movement, taken between 1915 and 1920. Gompers, born in 1850 in London, immigrated to the United States at a young age. He became a prominent labor leader, serving as the first president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which he helped establish in 1886. Gompers was instrumental in advocating for workers’ rights, focusing on issues such as fair wages, reasonable working hours, and the right to organize.

During Gompers leadership, the AFL grew significantly, representing a wide range of skilled workers across various trades. He believed in a pragmatic approach to labor relations, emphasizing collective bargaining over strikes. Gompers influence extended well beyond the confines of unions, as he actively engaged with national politicians to secure favorable labor laws. This photograph captures a moment in the life of a man whose efforts were crucial in shaping labor rights as we know them today. His legacy remains integral to discussions on labor practices and workers rights in America.