Samuel "Sam" Houston (March 2, 1793July 26, 1863) was an American
politician and soldier, best known for his role in bringing
Texas into the
United States as a
constituent state. His victory at the
Battle of San Jacinto secured the independence of Texas from Mexico. The only American to be elected governor of two states (as opposed to territories or indirect selection), 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.