Samuel Leonidas Simpson (1845–1899) was an American poet, known for his works about the U.S. state of Oregon.[1] Simpson was born in Missouri on November 10, 1845, moving to Oregon with his parents the following year.[2] His parents were Ben and Nancy Simpson; he married Julia Humphrey in 1867.[3] Simpson graduated from Willamette University in 1866. He served for four months that year as editor of the Salem Statesman, until his father was compelled to sell the newspaper.[4] He worked as an attorney for several years. He published poems and short stories in regional periodicals. He died in June 1899. His works were posthumously collected in a volume titled The Gold-Gated West: Songs and Poems, published in 1910.