Joseph Jenkins Roberts

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Joseph Jenkins Roberts
Roberts c. 1865
1st and 7th President of Liberia
In office January 3, 1848 – January 7, 1856
Vice President	Nathaniel Brander Anthony D. Williams Stephen Allen Benson
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Stephen Allen Benson
In office January 1, 1872 – January 3, 1876
Vice President	Anthony W. Gardiner
Preceded by	James Skivring Smith
Succeeded by	James Spriggs Payne
2nd Governor of Liberia
In office September 3, 1841 – January 3, 1848
Preceded by	Thomas Buchanan
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	(1809-03-15)March 15, 1809 Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Died	February 24, 1876(1876-02-24) (aged 66) Monrovia, Liberia
Resting place	Palm Grove Cemetery Monrovia
Political party	Republican Party
Spouses	Sarah Roberts ​ ​ (m. 1828; died 1829)​ Jane Rose Waring ​ (m. 1836)​

Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was an Americo-Liberian merchant who emigrated to Liberia in 1829, where he became a politician. Elected as the first (1848–1856) and seventh (1872–1876) president of Liberia after independence, he was the first man of African descent to govern the country, serving previously as governor from 1841 to 1848. He later returned to office following the 1871 Liberian coup d'état. Born free in Norfolk, Virginia, Roberts emigrated as a young man with his mother, siblings, wife, and child to the young West African colony. He opened a trading firm in Monrovia and later engaged in politics.