Eugene Victor Debs

Eugene Victor Debs was a prominent American labor leader and socialist born in 1855, known for advocating workers’ rights and better conditions. He helped organize unions, most notably the American Railway Union, and led efforts for fair wages and improved safety. Debs also championed socialist ideas, promoting economic reform and social justice. He ran for U.S. president five times as a socialist candidate, gaining significant support. His activism often brought him into conflict with authorities, and he was imprisoned in 1918 for speaking against World War I. Debs remains a key figure in American labor and socialist movements.