Stephen Allen Benson
| Stephen Allen Benson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 2nd President of Liberia | |
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In office January 7, 1856 – January 4, 1864 |
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| Vice President |
Beverly Page Yates Daniel Bashiel Warner |
| Preceded by | Joseph Jenkins Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Bashiel Warner |
| 3rd Vice President of Liberia | |
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In office January 2, 1854 – January 7, 1856 |
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| President | Joseph Jenkins Roberts |
| Preceded by | Anthony D. Williams |
| Succeeded by | Beverly Page Yates |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 21, 1816 Cambridge, Maryland, United States |
| Died | January 24, 1865 (aged 48) Grand Bassa County, Liberia |
| Political party | Republican |
Stephen Allen Benson (May 21, 1816 – January 24, 1865) served as the 2nd President of Liberia from 1856 to 1864. Prior to that, he served as the 3rd Vice President of Liberia from 1854 to 1856 under President Joseph Jenkins Roberts.
Benson was born in Cambridge, Maryland, United States, to freed African-American slave parents. In 1822, his family emigrated to the newly established country of Liberia, sailing there on board a ship titled: Brig Strong. Shortly after his arrival in August 1822, the colony was taken over by African natives, holding Benson and his relatives captive for four months.
For four years, he was a military shopkeeper. He was also a private secretary to Thomas Buchanan, the last of Liberia's white governors. Benson later 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. He was also a Methodist preacher.
In 1853 Benson became the vice president to Joseph Jenkins Roberts, and after Roberts left office in 1856, Benson succeeded Roberts as President of Liberia.
Benson obtained the recognition of Liberia from Belgium in 1858. In 1862, Benson also achieved diplomatic recognition from the United States. That same year he visited Europe, and obtained recognition from Italy. Norway and Sweden recognised Liberia either in 1863 or 1849, Haiti in 1864 or 1849 (accounts differ).
In 1857, Benson organised the annexation of Republic of Maryland. Benson, who knew many indigenous languages, sought collaboration with the native tribes, in contrast to previous Liberian policy, which emphasised American-Liberian superiority and Western customs. Regrettably, this new policy remained largely unimplemented. By 1860, through treaties and purchases with local African leaders, Liberia had extended its boundaries to include a 600-mile (1000 km) coastline.
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