John R. Commons (1862 — 1945)
"This is the first great problem of modern democracy... how to get a fair living by reasonable hours of work leaving enough leisure for both childhood and manhood."
John R. Commons of the University of Wisconsin was a creative force behind innovative concepts of social legislation involving trade unionism and collective bargaining. Commons was known as the "spiritual father" of Social Security. Virtually all progressive social and labor legislation enacted in the 20th century can be attributed to him.
