LiberiaData

Joseph Jenkins Roberts was born free in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1809. He emigrated to Liberia in 1829 with his mother and brothers, and quickly distinguished himself in the colony’s commercial and civic life.

First Black Governor, 1841

In 1841, Roberts was appointed as the first Black governor of the Colony of Liberia. He expanded the territory under Liberian authority, improved the colony’s economic conditions, and strengthened its relationships with neighboring indigenous leaders. He also worked to suppress the illegal slave trade. In 1849, Liberian forces under his presidency would shut down a Spanish slave trading depot at Grand Cess in Grand Kru County.

Road to Independence

By 1846, the pressures facing the colony had reached a critical point. Roberts formally requested the Liberian legislature to consider declaring independence. The legislature called a referendum of the settler population. The vote came back in favor. On July 26, 1847, the Declaration was signed.

First Elected President

Roberts went on to become Liberia’s first elected president, inaugurated on January 3, 1848. He served until 1856, later serving a second term from 1872 to 1876. J.J. Roberts’ birthday, March 15, is a Liberian public holiday. See the full list of presidents on the LiberiaData Executive page.

Sources:
Britannica [5];
Wikipedia — History of Liberia [1];
Library of Congress — History of Liberia Timeline [11]