James Skivring Smith


James Skivring Smith (1825, death year unknown) was the President of Liberia from November 4, 1871 to January 1, 1872 when the newly-elected President Joseph Jenkins Roberts returned to the office he had held from 1848 to 1856, as Liberia's first president.

Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina about 1825. He arrived in Liberia in 1833. He was Secretary of State of Liberia, 1856-1860 and Senator from Grand Bassa County from 1868-1869.

Along with Moses Blah, James Skivring Smith was one of two Liberian presidents not to be directly elected to that office. Before becoming president, Smith served as vice-president under President Edward James Roye until the latter's overthrow and assassination.

He was Superintendent of Grand Bassa County, 1874-1884.[1]

References

<References/>

Citations