Stephen Allen Benson

Stephen Allen Benson

Stephen Allen Benson (born May 21, 1816 - January 24, 1865 in Grand Bassa County ) was the second President of Liberia from January 7, 1856 to January 4, 1864 .

Life

Benson was from Maryland in the United States . In 1822 his family emigrated to Liberia, which had been founded a few years earlier. Shortly after arriving, the settlement was attacked by locals and he and his relatives were held prisoners for several months.

He became a successful businessman, joined the militia in 1835 and became a member of the Colonial Council in 1842 . After the declaration of independence by the Liberian Congress in 1847, he became a judge.

president

In 1853, President Joseph J. Roberts appointed him Vice President and in 1856 he succeeded him. In 1857 he arranged for the annexation of the previously independent colony of Maryland by Liberia.

During his tenure, Liberia was formally recognized by the United States in 1862, and by the end of his tenure, most of the major states had recognized Liberia. In the same year 1862 he made a trip to Europe, where he also paid a visit to Heinrich Brockhaus , the son of Friedrich Arnold Brockhaus .

Benson endeavored to work well with the indigenous people of the hinterland and to treat them fairly. He spoke several local languages. After his presidency, he retired to his plantation in Grand Bassa County, where he grew coffee and died soon after.

Web links

• Kurzbiografie (English)