Carl Christian Schurz (March 2, 1829 – May 14, 1906) is a German revolutionary, American statesman and reformer, and Union Army General in the American Civil War.

He is also an accomplished journalist, newspaper editor and orator, who in 1869 becomes the first German-born American elected to the United States Senate.

His wife, Margarethe Schurz, is instrumental in establishing the kindergarten system in the United States.

During his later years, Schurz is perhaps the most prominent independent in American politics, noted for his high principles, his avoidance of political partisanship, and his moral conscience.

He is famous for saying: "My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right."

(Schurz, Carl, remarks in the Senate, February 29, 1872, The Congressional Globe, vol.

45, p.

1287.)

Many streets, schools, and parks are named in honor of him, including New York City's Carl Schurz Park.