"Sam Houston", Library of American Biography. Randolph Campbell

Sam Houston (March 2, 1793 - July 26,1863)

An American soldier, Governor of two states, President of an independent republic, and for thirteen years a United States Senator, Sam Houston forged a life of great adventure.

His victory at the battle of San Jacinto secured the independence of Texas from Mexico in one of the shortest decisive battles in modern history. He was also the only governor within a future Confederate state to oppose secession (which led to the outbreak of the American Civil War) and to refuse an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, a decision that led to his removal from office by the Texas secession convention.