Garreston W. Gibson

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14th President of Liberia
Garreston W. Gibson

In office December 11, 1900 – January 4, 1904
Vice President	None
Preceded by	William D. Coleman
Succeeded by	Arthur Barclay

Born	May 20, 1832(1832-05-20) Maryland, United States
Died	April 26, 1910 Monrovia, Liberia
Political party	True Whig

Garreston Wilmot Gibson (20 May 1832 – 26 April 1910) was President of Liberia from 11 December 1900, to 4 January 1904. Born in Maryland, in the United States, his family emigrated to Liberia in 1835. After receiving an education in mission schools, he returned to Maryland to study theology. Ordained a priest, he served as rector of the Episcopalian Trinity Church in Monrovia. He also served as Chaplain of the Liberian Senate. Later, he served as President of the Trustee Board of Liberia College and at one time President of the College.

President Gibson began his political life as a Justice of the Peace. With the election of William D. Coleman as president in 1896, Gibson was appointed Secretary of the Interior. He was Secretary of State when Coleman resigned in 1900, and since there was no vice-president, Gibson was chosen to succeed him. He won the election that same year, and served until 1904, when his Secretary of the Treasury, Arthur Barclay, succeeded him.

He was in his 70th year when he became President of Liberia. Some important events of his administration are:

1. The granting of rights of the Union Mining Operations in the country;

2. The completion of a thorough investigation in respect of the flora of Liberia; and

3. The surveying of the Northern boundary of the country by a joint commission of Great Britain and Liberia.

President Gibson died in his 78th Year in Monrovia, April 26, 1910.

[edit] References

[edit] Sources and links

Nathaniel R. Richardson, Liberia's Past and Present. London: The Diplomatic Press and Publishing Company, 1959.

Preceded by William D. Coleman	President of Liberia 1900–1904	Succeeded by Arthur Barclay

v • d • e 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