Eugene V. Debs

A fiery labor leader and socialist presidential candidate who fought for workers' rights and social justice.

Eugene Victor Debs (1855–1926) was a pioneering American socialist, union leader, and five-time presidential candidate who dedicated his life to challenging industrial capitalism. As founder of the American Railway Union, he led the 1894 Pullman Strike, a pivotal event in labor history that ended with federal intervention and his imprisonment.

Debs’ activism was rooted in his belief in working-class solidarity. Despite being jailed under the Espionage Act for opposing World War I, he ran for president from prison in 1920, winning nearly a million votes. His speeches, such as 'Canton Speech', criticized corporate greed and war profiteering, inspiring generations of activists.

His legacy influenced the New Deal policies and civil rights movements. Bernie Sanders cited Debs as a key inspiration, and institutions like the Eugene V. Debs Foundation continue to promote his vision of economic equality.

Debs’ unwavering commitment to justice—even at personal cost—cements his status as a symbol of resistance. His famous quote, 'While there is a soul in prison, I am not free', underscores his lifelong fight against oppression.