The socialist leader who sought to establish workers' rights in America was Eugene V. Debs. Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Debs was a prominent figure in the American labor movement and a founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He advocated for better wages, working conditions, and the right to unionize, championing the cause of factory workers and labor rights. Debs ran for president multiple times representing the Socialist Party, emphasizing the need for systemic change in economic policies and the reduction of corporate power. His legacy remains influential in discussions on labor rights today.