This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "James Skivring Smith" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR(August 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
James Skivring Smith
Superintendent of Grand Bassa County
In office 1874–1884
6th President of Liberia
In office November 4, 1871 – January 1, 1872
Preceded by
Edward James Roye
Succeeded by
Joseph Jenkins Roberts
8th Vice President of Liberia
In office January 3, 1870 – October 26, 1871
President
Edward James Roye
Preceded by
Joseph Gibson
Succeeded by
Anthony W. Gardiner
4th Secretary of State of Liberia
In office 1856–1860
President
Stephen Allen Benson
Preceded by
Daniel Bashiel Warner
Succeeded by
Edward Wilmot Blyden
Member of the Senate of Liberia from Grand Bassa County
In office 1868–1869
In office 1855–1863
Personal details
Born
February 26, 1825 Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Died
1892 (aged 66-67) Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia
Political party
True Whig
Children
James Skivring Smith Jr.
Parent
Carlos & Catharine Smith
Education
University of Vermont College of Medicine (transferred) Berkshire Medical College (MD)
Profession
Physician
James Skivring Smith (February 26, 1825 – 1892) was a Liberian politician who served as the sixth president of Liberia from 1871 to 1872. Prior to this, he served as the eighth vice president of Liberia from 1870 to 1871 under President Edward James Roye and as Secretary of State from 1856 to 1860 in the cabinet of President Stephen Allen Benson. He was a member of the True Whig Party.
Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1825 to a family of free blacks. He arrived with his family in Liberia in 1833, and his parents died of malaria within a year. As a young man, he trained under Dr. James W. Lugenbeel, a medical doctor of the American Colonization Society. He then returned to the United States to study medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He transferred to Berkshire Medical College in Massachusetts, graduating with his medical degree in 1848. He was the second African American to receive a Doctor of Medicine from an American medical school, after David J. Peck a year earlier. After graduating, he returned to the newly independent Liberia to work as a physician.
In 1855, Smith was elected to the Senate, representing Grand Bassa County. From 1856 to 1860, he was Secretary of State under President Stephen Allen Benson. In the 1869 presidential election, Smith was elected vice president alongside President Edward James Roye. He and Roye were the first True Whig politicians to hold their respective offices. After Roye was deposed in the 1871 Liberian coup d'état, Smith served as president for the remainder of Roye's term. His two-month presidency remains the shortest in Liberian history. At the end of his presidential term, Smith returned home to Buchanan, and served as Superintendent of Grand Bassa County from 1874 to 1884. His son James Skivring Smith Jr. went on to serve as vice president from 1930 to 1944.
and 20 Related for: James Skivring Smith information
JamesSkivringSmith (February 26, 1825 – 1892) was a Liberian politician who served as the sixth president of Liberia from 1871 to 1872. Prior to this...
JamesSkivringSmith Jr. (1891–1950), Liberian politician James Alfred Smith (1913–1993), British diplomat, chief justice of the Bahamas JamesSmith (archdeacon...
Lambort Kaipay, Senator (2015–Present) JamesSkivringSmith, President of Liberia (1871–1872) JamesSkivringSmith Jr., Vice President of Liberia (1930–1944)...
due to the president's death, resignation, or removal from office: JamesSkivringSmith, Alfred Francis Russell, William D. Coleman, William Tolbert, and...
Gibson 5 Edward James Roye (1815–1872) January 3, 1870 October 26, 1871 (Deposed) 1 year, 296 days True Whig Party 1869 JamesSkivringSmith — Chief Executive...
Church JamesSkivringSmith (1825–1892), 6th president of Liberia Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918), president of the LDS Church Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972)...
James Roberts, a free man of color. Roberts gave her children his surname and raised them as his own. Roberts owned a boating business on the James River...
Edward James Roye (February 3, 1815 – February 11, 1872) served as the fifth president of Liberia from 1870 to his overthrow in the 1871 Liberian coup...
(Candidate for vice-president) SkivringSmith family (father-son) JamesSkivringSmith (President, 1871–72) JamesSkivringSmith, Jr. (Vice President, 1930–44)...
from 1944 until his death in 1971. The shortest term was held by JamesSkivringSmith, who was interim president for all of two months in 1871. However...
during 1943 in Liberia. President: Edwin Barclay Vice President: JamesSkivringSmith, Jr. Chief Justice: F. E. R. Johnson May 4 - A general election and...
during 1935 in Liberia. President: Edwin Barclay Vice President: JamesSkivringSmith, Jr. Chief Justice: F. E. R. Johnson May 7 - Liberian constitutional...
James Spriggs Payne (until January 3), Edward James Roye (starting January 3) Vice President: Joseph Gibson (until January 3), JamesSkivringSmith (starting...
Edwin James Barclay (5 January 1882 – 6 November 1955) was a Liberian politician, poet, and musician who served as the 18th president of Liberia from...
by James M. Priest 3rd Secretary of State In office 1854–1856 President Joseph Jenkins Roberts Preceded by John N. Lewis Succeeded by JamesSkivring Smith...
from 1954 to 1955 Michael Smith (Irish politician) (born 1940), Irish Senator in 1982 and from 1983 to 1987 JamesSkivringSmith (1825–1892), Liberian Senator...
October, which resulted in Roye's deposition and eventual death; JamesSkivringSmith served out the remainder of Roye's term, and Roberts took office...
Simpson also held the following positions: Ambassador to the Court of St. James, London, England; Ambassador to the United States, Washington, D.C.; Grand...
Joseph Pomeroy Root, abolitionist, Kansas Free Stater and statesman JamesSkivringSmith, first African American to receive a medical degree and later President...
Global Information
