First president of Liberia, born in Petersburg, Virginia, USA. Of mixed black and white heritage, he emigrated to Liberia with his widowed mother and three brothers in 1829. He became a successful merchant and caught the eye of Liberia's white governor, who appointed Roberts as his successor. The first African-American governor of Liberia, he went on to become the first president of the new country in 1847, serving six terms in all. His major accomplishments include gaining the recognition of Liberia from most European nations, and halting the slave trade on Liberia's borders.
| Joseph Jenkins Roberts | |
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1st President of Liberia (1848) 7th President of Liberia (1872) |
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In office January 3, 1848 – January 7, 1856 January 1, 1872 – January 3, 1876 |
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| Vice President(s) Gardiner (1872) | |
| Preceded by |
None (1848) James Skivring Smith (1872) |
| Succeeded by |
Stephen Allen Benson (1848) James Spriggs-Payne (1872) |
| Born |
March 15, 1809 Norfolk, Virginia |
| Political party | Republican Party |
Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was the first President of Liberia (1848–1856, 1872–1876). He is known as the father of Liberia and helped Liberia win its independence in 1847, and he became the first president of Liberia.
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