Stephen Allen Benson (May 21, 1816 – January 24, 1865) was an American-born Liberian politician, coffee farmer, businessman, and Methodist preacher who served as the 2nd president of the African country of Liberia from 1856 to 1864. He previously served as Liberia’s third vice president from 1854 to 1856, during the last years of the presidency of Joseph Roberts.
Early Life and Career
Stephen Allen Benson was born free on May 21, 1816, in Cambridge, Maryland. In 1822, at the age of 6, Benson and his family emigrated to Liberia on a sailing ship named the Strong.
For the rest of his early life, Benson worked various jobs. He became a successful businessman. he also served in the Liberian colonial militia Between 1835 and 1842. In 1841, he married Nancy Moore.
After Liberia gained independence from the United States in 1847, Benson briefly served a judge. At some unknown point between 1848 to 1854, Benson also served as the secretary of the Liberian Treasury.
Presidency (1856-1864)
In 1854, Benson became Liberia’s vice president after running with President Joseph Roberts in the 1853 election. Two years later in 1855, Benson was elected president himself and was sworn in on January 2, 1856.
In 1857, President Benson negotiated the annexation of the colony known as Maryland-in-Africa, which had refused to join Liberia initially, but joined due to raids from the indigenous African tribes.
Also during Benson’s presidency, Liberia gained diplomatic recognition from Haiti, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, the United States, and Norway.
Due to President Benson’s declining health, he retired from the presidency in 1864. His vice president, Daniel B. Warner, succeeded him, becoming the 3rd president of Liberia.
Death
Stephen Allen Benson died on January 24, 1865, at his coffee plantation in Grand Bassa County, Liberia. He was 48 years old at the time of his death. It is unknown how Benson died, but its most likely that he died from a tropical disease, such as malaria.