Nathaniel Brander facts for kids
Nathaniel Brander was an important politician and judge in Liberia. He was the very first Vice President of Liberia. He served from 1848 to 1850. He worked alongside Joseph Jenkins Roberts, who was the first President.
Early Life of Nathaniel Brander
Nathaniel Brander was born in 1796. He was born free in Petersburg, Virginia, in the United States. In March 1820, he traveled to Sierra Leone. He went there with help from the American Colonization Society (ACS). This group helped free African Americans move to Africa.
In 1839, Brander married Harriet Graves Waring. They had one son named Albert. Harriet's daughter from a previous marriage, Jane Rose, later married President Joseph Jenkins Roberts. This made Brander Roberts's father-in-law.
Nathaniel Brander's Career
Brander worked for the American Colonization Society in 1835. He was a colonial agent for a short time. From 1843 to 1847, Brander served as a judge. He was an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Liberia became an independent country in 1847. Brander was then elected as the first Vice President. He served with Joseph Jenkins Roberts, who became President. In 1849, Brander even served as Acting President. This happened when President Roberts went to the United Kingdom for a diplomatic trip.
In the 1849 elections, Brander ran for Vice President again. He faced several other candidates. These included Secretary of State Daniel Bashiel Warner and former Colonial Agent Anthony D. Williams. Another candidate was Congressman Beverly R. Wilson.
No candidate won more than half of the votes. Because of this, the election went to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives then chose Anthony D. Williams to be the new Vice President.
