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.

The first governor, Thomas Buchanan, served from 1838 until his death in 1841. He was succeeded by Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first person of African descent to serve as governor of Liberia. Upon independence in 1847, Roberts was elected as the first president of Liberia.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts (born March 15, 1809, Petersburg, Va., U.S.—died Feb. 24, 1876, Monrovia, Liberia) was an American-born individual who became the first president of Liberia (1848–56). A native of Virginia, Roberts was the son of free “blacks” whose heritage was more than seven-eighths white.

Jul 22, 2019 · The first president of Liberia was Joseph Jenkins Roberts. He served different terms, between 1848 and 1856 and from 1872 to 1876. He was born in Virginia on March 15, 1809.

Jul 19, 2016 · He won the first presidential election on October 5, 1847, and was sworn into office as Liberia’s first president on January 3, 1848. Roberts spent the first year of his presidency, seeking recognition of Liberia by European countries and the United States.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was the first (1848–1856) and seventh (1872–1876) president of Liberia after helping lead the country to independence as its first nonwhite Governor.

In 1847, they proclaimed the new republic of Liberia, electing Roberts as their first president. In 1849, during a visit to England, he secured British recognition of Liberia as a sovereign nation, and in 1852, in another trip to continental Europe, he acquired recognition from other powers.

Sep 1, 2022 · He was the first president of the Republic of Liberia when the country was declared as an independent nation in July, 1847. Prior to his presidency, he served as the first African-American governor of Liberia for six years.

Oct 9, 2024 · Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a Black man who twice served as president of Liberia, was elected around 160 years before Barack Obama.

Aug 4, 2022 · Know about all the presidents of Liberia. The list of presidents of Liberia shows all the presidents of Liberia from beginning to present with their tenure and their respective political party.