Eugene V. Debs

Debs in 1897, Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division

Birth Name: Eugene Victor Debs

Date of Birth: November 5, 1855

Place of Birth: Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.

Date of Death: October 20, 1926

Place of Death: Elmhurst, Illinois, U.S.

Ethnicity: Alsatian [German, possibly French]

Eugene V. Debs was an American socialist, political activist, and trade unionist. He was one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He was a Member of the Indiana Senate from the 8th district, from 1885 to 1889.

He was the Social Democratic Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 1900, and the Socialist Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 1904, 1908, 1912, and 1920.

Eugene was the son of Marguerite Marie (Bettrich) and Jean Daniel Debs. His parents were from Colmar, Alsace, France. It appears likely that at least his mother (and probably his father as well) were ethnic Germans.

He was married to Kate Metzel, until his death.