Stephen Allen Benson

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Stephen Allen Benson
2nd President of Liberia
In office January 7, 1856 – January 4, 1864
Vice President(s)	Beverley Yates
Preceded by	Joseph Jenkins Roberts
Succeeded by	Daniel Bashiel Warner
Born	May 21, 1816 Maryland, United States
Political party	None

Stephen Allen Benson (May 21, 1816—1865) was president of Liberia from 1856 to 1864.

[edit] Life

Benson was born in Maryland, United States. In 1822 his family expatriated to the newly created country of Liberia. Shortly after his arrival, the colony was taken over by African natives, holding Benson and his relatives captives for a few months.

He became a successful businessman. Benson joined the militia in 1835 and in 1842 became a delegate to the Colonial Council. After Liberia's independence in 1847 he became a judge.

[edit] As president

In 1853 Benson became the vice president to Joseph Jenkins Roberts, and after Roberts left office in 1856 Benson succeeded Roberts as president. In 1857 he organized the annexation of Maryland County.

In 1862 Benson achieved diplomatic recognition from the United States. That same year he visited Europe.

Benson, who knew many indigenous languages, sought collaboration with the native tribes, in contrast to previous Liberian policy, which emphasized American-Liberian superiority and Western customs.

After the end of his presidency, he retired to his plantation in Grand Bassa County, where he died in 1865.

[edit] External links

• Biography

Preceded by Unknown	Vice-President of Liberia 1853–1856	Succeeded by Beverley Yates
Preceded by Joseph Jenkins Roberts	President of Liberia 1856–1864	Succeeded by Daniel Bashiel Warner

Presidents of Liberia

Joseph J. Roberts • Stephen Allen Benson • Daniel Bashiel Warner • James Spriggs Payne • Edward J. Roye • James Skivring Smith • Joseph J. Roberts • James Spriggs Payne • Anthony W. Gardiner • Alfred Francis Russell • Hilary R. W. Johnson • Joseph James Cheeseman • William D. Coleman • Garretson W. Gibson • Arthur Barclay • Daniel Edward Howard • Charles D.B. King • Edwin Barclay • William Tubman • William R. Tolbert, Jr. • Samuel Doe • Amos Sawyer† • David D. Kpormakpor† • Wilton G. S. Sankawulo† • Ruth Perry† • Charles G. Taylor • Moses Blah • Gyude Bryant† • Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf  † denotes non-presidential head of state

Persondata
NAME	Benson, Stephen Allan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	former President of Liberia
DATE OF BIRTH	21 May 1816
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH	1865
PLACE OF DEATH