Stephen Allen Benson (May 21, 1816 – January 24, 1865) was a Liberian politician who served as the country’s president from 1856 to 1864. He previously served as the country’s third vice president under the presidency of Joseph Roberts from 1854 to 1856.
Early Life
Stephen Allen Benson was born free on May 21, 1816, in Cambridge, Maryland. In 1822, at the age of 6, Benson and his family immigrated to the recently-established colony of Liberia.
Benson worked various jobs prior to his political career.
Presidency (1856-1864)
After serving as Joseph Roberts’ vice president, Benson was elected president in the 1855 presidential election. He was inaugurated on January 7, 1856.
In 1857, Benson negotiated the annexation of Maryland-in-Africa, which had refused to join Liberia ten years prior. The newly annexed territories was organized as Maryland County.
For the rest of Benson’s presidency, he helped Liberia gain international recognition from Belgium, the United States, Norway, and Haiti.
Post Presidency and Death
Benson declined to run for re-election in the 1863 elections. Benson officially left office on January 4, 1864 and was succeeded by his vice president Daniel B. Warner. Benson would retire to his coffee plantation in Grand Bassa County.
On January 24, 1865, Stephen A. Benson died at just the age of 48.