Stephen Allen Benson

Stephen Allen Benson (21 de mayo de 1816 - 24 de enero de 1865) fue un político liberiano que se desempeñó como segundo presidente de Liberia de 1856 a 1864. Anteriormente, fue tercer vicepresidente de Liberia de 1854 a 1856 bajo la presidencia de Joseph Jenkins Roberts . Nacido en Estados Unidos, Benson llegó a Liberia con su familia en 1822.

Primeros años de vida

Benson nació en Cambridge, Maryland , Estados Unidos, de padres afroamericanos libres. ^{[ 1 ]}^{[ 2 ]} En 1822, su familia emigró al recién fundado país de Liberia, navegando a bordo del bergantín Strong . ^{[ 3 ]}

Durante cuatro años, trabajó como comerciante militar. También fue secretario privado de Thomas Buchanan , el último gobernador blanco de Liberia. Posteriormente, Benson se convirtió en un exitoso hombre de negocios y se unió a la milicia en 1835. ^{[ 4 ]}^{[ 5 ]} En 1841, Benson se casó con Nancy Moore. ^{[ 6 ]} En 1842, fue nombrado delegado del Consejo Colonial. Tras la independencia de Liberia en 1847, se convirtió en juez. También fue predicador metodista y Secretario del Tesoro antes de ser presidente. ^{[ 4 ]}

Presidencia (1856–64)

En 1853, Benson se convirtió en vicepresidente bajo el mandato de Joseph Jenkins Roberts , cargo que desempeñó hasta ganar la presidencia en las elecciones de 1855 , asumiendo el cargo al año siguiente.

Relaciones exteriores

Benson obtained diplomatic recognition for Liberia from Belgium in 1858, Denmark in 1860, the United States and Italy in 1862, Norway and Sweden in 1863, and Haiti in 1864.^[7]

Expansion

In 1857, Benson organized the annexation of the Republic of Maryland. By 1860, through treaties and purchases with local African leaders, Liberia had extended its boundaries to include a 600-mile (1000 km) coastline.

Retirement

After the end of his presidency, Benson retired to his coffee plantation in Grand Bassa County where he died in 1865.

Legacy

Benson is commemorated in the scientific name of a species of lizard, Trachylepis bensonii, which is endemic to Liberia.^[8]

References

↑American Colonization Society, "The African Repository: The Death Of Ex-President Benson"
↑Message from the President of the States, communicating (In compliance with a resolution of the Senate) information relative to the operations of the United States squadron on the west coast of Africa, the condition of the American colonies there, and the commerce of the United States therewith. February 28, 1845., "List of Emigrants: Strong"
↑Roll Of Emigrants That Have Been Sent To The Colony Of LiberiaArchived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
1 2Dunn, Elwood D.; Beyan, Amos J.; Burrowes, Carl Patrick (20 December 2000). Historical Dictionary of Liberia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9781461659310.
↑Dukaw (2012-03-02). "Stephen Allen Benson » Dukaw :: LiberiaInfo". Dukaw :: LiberiaInfo. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
↑"Stephen Allen Benson, Second President of Liberia". Liberia Today. 1 (8). Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in the United States: 4. April 1952. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
↑Elwood D. Dunn, Amos J. Beyan, Carl Patrick Burrowes. Historical Dictionary of Liberia. p. 38
↑Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Benson", p. 23).

External links

Biography
Ricks Essay
S. A. Benson, President of Liberia article in National Magazine, April 1856, pages 311-317

[1] American Colonization Society, "The African Repository: The Death Of Ex-President Benson"

[2] Message from the President of the States, communicating (In compliance with a resolution of the Senate) information relative to the operations of the United States squadron on the west coast of Africa, the condition of the American colonies there, and the commerce of the United States therewith. February 28, 1845., "List of Emigrants: Strong"

[3] Roll Of Emigrants That Have Been Sent To The Colony Of LiberiaArchived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine

[histdict-4] 1 2Dunn, Elwood D.; Beyan, Amos J.; Burrowes, Carl Patrick (20 December 2000). Historical Dictionary of Liberia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9781461659310.

[5] Dukaw (2012-03-02). "Stephen Allen Benson » Dukaw :: LiberiaInfo". Dukaw :: LiberiaInfo. Retrieved 2026-06-22.

[6] "Stephen Allen Benson, Second President of Liberia". Liberia Today. 1 (8). Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in the United States: 4. April 1952. Retrieved September 29, 2023.

[7] Elwood D. Dunn, Amos J. Beyan, Carl Patrick Burrowes. Historical Dictionary of Liberia. p. 38

[8] Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Benson", p. 23).

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