Sam Houston
/ˌsæm ˈhjuːstən/
/ˌsæm ˈhjuːstən/
- (1793-1863) a US military and political leader. He helped Texas gain its independence from Mexico, defeating the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto. Houston became the first President of the Republic of Texas, and after Texas became a state he represented it as a US Senator (1846-59). He was also elected Governor of Texas but was forced to leave the job because he did not want Texas to join the Confederate States.