Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was an African American 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 in the 1871 general election 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.
Joseph Jenkins Roberts is sworn in as the first President of the independent African Republic of Liberia
Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was an African American merchant who emigrated to Liberia in 1829, where he became a politician.
Historical Significance
Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was an African American merchant who emigrated to Liberia in 1829, where he became a politician.
Events Before
Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government
Samuel Colt (July 19, 1814 – January 10, 1862) was an American inventor, industrialist, and businessman who established Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company and made the mass production of…
Michigan becomes the first English-speaking jurisdiction to abolish the death penalty (except for treason against the st
Michigan becomes the first English-speaking jurisdiction to abolish the death penalty (except for treason against the state)
First civic public park, Birkenhead Park, designed by Joseph Paxton, opens in Birkenhead, England
Birkenhead Park is a major public park located in the centre of Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. It was designed by Joseph Paxton and opened on 5 April 1847.
Author of Moby-Dick, American novelist Herman Melville (28) marries Elizabeth Shaw, daughter of Chief Justice of the Mas
Author of Moby-Dick, American novelist Herman Melville (28) marries Elizabeth Shaw, daughter of Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Battle of Chapultepec: American forces capture Chapultepec Castle during the Mexican–American War, allowing US General W
Battle of Chapultepec: American forces capture Chapultepec Castle during the Mexican–American War, allowing US General Winfield Scott to take Mexico City
Events After
Dutch Princess Marianne and Prince Albert of Prussia separate after 18-1/2 years of marriage
Dutch Princess Marianne and Prince Albert of Prussia separate after 18-1/2 years of marriage
Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera "Le prophète" premieres in Paris
Le prophète (The Prophet) is a grand opera in five acts by Giacomo Meyerbeer, which was premiered in Paris on 16 April 1849.
Bacteriologist Louis Pasteur (26) weds secretary Marie Laurent (23) in Strasbourg, France
Bacteriologist Louis Pasteur (26) weds secretary Marie Laurent (23) in Strasbourg, France
Prime Minister of Canada John Abbott (28) weds Mary Bethune at bride's parents home
Prime Minister of Canada John Abbott (28) weds Mary Bethune at bride's parents home
First chamber music group in the US gives its first concert in Boston, Massachusetts
First chamber music group in the US gives its first concert in Boston, Massachusetts
More from the 1840s
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone (31) weds Mary Moffat
David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) was a Scottish doctor, Congregationalist, pioneer Christian missionary with the London Missionary Society, and an explorer in Africa.
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
New York Illustrated News, the first illustrated weekly magazine in the US, publishes its first issue in New York
The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 3, 1848?
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was an African American 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 in the 1871 general election following the 1871 Liberian coup d'état.
- Why is Joseph Jenkins Roberts is sworn in as the first President of the independent ... significant?
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was an African American merchant who emigrated to Liberia in 1829, where he became a politician.