What labor leader co-founded the AFL in 1886 and served as its president for nearly 40 years?

Samuel Gompers was the influential labor leader who co-founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886 and served as its president for nearly 40 years. Born in London and a cigar maker by trade, Gompers immigrated to the United States and quickly became a prominent voice in the American labor movement. His extensive leadership, with only a single year interruption, shaped the direction of organized labor for decades.

Under Gompers's guidance, the AFL adopted a philosophy known as "pure and simple unionism." This approach focused primarily on achieving tangible economic improvements for skilled workers, such as higher wages, shorter workdays, and better working conditions, through collective bargaining and strikes. Unlike other labor organizations of the era that pursued broader social or political reforms, the AFL under Gompers emphasized practical gains for its members and maintained the autonomy of its constituent craft unions.

Gompers's strategic vision led the AFL to become the largest and most influential labor federation in the United States. He believed in the power of economic action over radical political movements, effectively establishing a model for American unionism that prioritized workplace-oriented goals. His enduring dedication to the cause of labor helped secure a permanent place for organized workers in American society and laid much of the groundwork for modern labor relations.