James Skivring Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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 (born February 26, 1825 – died 1892) was an important Liberian politician. He served as the sixth President of Liberia from 1871 to 1872. Before becoming president, he was the eighth Vice President of Liberia from 1870 to 1871. He worked under President Edward James Roye.
Smith also served as the Secretary of State from 1856 to 1860. This was during the time President Stephen Allen Benson was in office. He was a member of the True Whig Party, a major political group in Liberia.
Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in the United States, in 1825. His family were free Black people. They moved to Liberia in 1833. Sadly, his parents died from malaria within a year of their arrival.
As a young man, he learned medicine from Dr. James W. Lugenbeel. Dr. Lugenbeel worked for the American Colonization Society, a group that helped Black people move to Liberia. James Smith then went back to the United States to study medicine. He studied at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Later, he transferred to Berkshire Medical College in Massachusetts. He earned his medical degree there in 1848. He was the second African American to get a medical degree from an American medical school. After graduating, he returned to Liberia, which was now an independent country, to work as a doctor.
Early Life and Education
James Skivring Smith was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 26, 1825. He was the fourth of seven children. His parents, Carlos and Catharine Smith, were free Black people. In 1833, James and his family moved to Liberia. Sadly, his parents passed away from malaria within a year of moving there.
After working with a white doctor from the American Colonization Society, Smith decided to study medicine. He returned to the United States for his studies. He first attended the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Then, he transferred to the Berkshire Medical College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He earned his medical degree from there in 1848. He was the second African American to graduate from a medical school in the United States. The first was David J. Peck, who graduated in 1847. After finishing his studies, Smith went back to Liberia. He worked there as a doctor for the American Colonization Society.
Political Career
Smith began his political career by serving as Secretary of State from 1856 to 1860. Later, he was elected as a Senator for Grand Bassa County. He served in the Senate from 1868 to 1869.
In the 1869 presidential election, Smith was elected vice president. He served alongside President Edward James Roye. They were the first politicians from the True Whig Party to hold these high offices.
On October 26, 1871, President Roye was removed from office. This happened because he tried to stay in power longer than the law allowed. As a result, James Smith became president. He served for the remaining two months of Roye's term. His time as president is the shortest in Liberian history.
After his presidency, Smith returned to Buchanan. He then served as the Superintendent of Grand Bassa County. He held this important local leadership role from 1874 to 1884.
James Skivring Smith's son, James Skivring Smith Jr., also became a successful politician. He followed in his father's footsteps. He served as Superintendent of Grand Bassa County. He also became vice president from 1930 to 1944.
See also
In Spanish: James Skivring Smith para niños
