Sam(uel) Houston

Houston, Sam(uel) (1793–1863), U.S. frontiersman and politician, leader in the struggle against Mexico to create an independent Texas. He commanded a force of fewer than 800 settlers in a decisive battle at San Jacinto (1836) and went on to become the first president of the Republic of Texas (1836–38). During a second term as president (1841–44) he worked to bring Texas into the Union (1845). Houston served as U.S. senator (1846–59) and was governor of Texas (1859–61). He was deposed after refusing to support the Confederacy.

See also: Texas.