The President of the Republic of Liberia is the head of state and government of Liberia. The president serves as the leader of the executive branch and as commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman was a Liberian politician. He was the 19th President of Liberia, serving from his election in 1944 until his death in 1971.
Garretson Wilmot Gibson was the 14th President of Liberia from 11 December 1900, to 4 January 1904. Born in Maryland, in the United States, his family emigrated to Liberia in 1845. After receiving an education in mission schools, he returned to Maryland to study theology. Ordained a priest, he served as rector of the Episcopalian Trinity Church in Monrovia. He also served as Chaplain of the Liberian Senate. Later, he served as President of the Trustee Board of Liberia College and at one time President of the College.
Edwin James Barclay was a Liberian politician. A member of the True Whig political party, which dominated the political governance of the country for decades, Barclay served as the 18th President of the country from 1930 until 1944. Under his leadership, Liberia was an ally of the United States during World War II.
William David Coleman was an American-born Liberian politician. A True Whig Party member, he was the 13th President of Liberia, serving from 1896 to 1900. Immigrating to Liberia in 1853, he worked his way up to election to the House of Representatives and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1877 to 1879. Later he served in the Senate and then as Vice President before assuming the Presidency when Joseph James Cheeseman died in office.
The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia is the second-highest executive official in Liberia, and one of only two elected executive offices along with the President. The Vice President is elected on the same ticket with the president to a six-year term. In the event of the death, resignation or removal of the president, the Vice President ascends to the presidency, which he or she holds for the remainder of their predecessor's term. The Vice President also serves as the President of the Senate and may cast a vote in the event of a tie. The current Vice President is Jewel Taylor, serving under President George Weah. She began her term on January 22, 2018.
Joseph J. Ross served as the 14th Vice President of Liberia from 1898 to 1899. He also served as Attorney General of Liberia under three separate administrations and was thrice-elected to the Senate of Liberia as a senator from Sinoe County, serving as President pro tempore of the Senate from 1892 to 1896.
Clarence Lorenzo Simpson (1896–1969) was a politician in Liberia. He was Secretary of State during much of World War II (1934–1943) under President Edwin Barclay.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1897. In the presidential election, incumbent William D. Coleman of the True Whig Party was elected. The former Vice-President had originally taken office following the death of President Joseph James Cheeseman in November 1896.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1899. In the presidential election, incumbent William D. Coleman of the True Whig Party was re-elected for a second full term.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1901. In the presidential election, incumbent Garreston W. Gibson of the True Whig Party was elected for the first time, having originally taken office after the resignation of William D. Coleman in December 1900. He defeated Coleman, who ran on the People's Party ticket.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1905. In the presidential election Arthur Barclay of the True Whig Party was re-elected. He defeated former President William D. Coleman, who ran on the People's Party ticket.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1907. In the presidential election Arthur Barclay of the True Whig Party was re-elected for a third term. It was the first time a President had been elected to a four-year term, as all had previously served for two years.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1927. In the presidential election, the result was a victory for Charles D. B. King of the True Whig Party, who was re-elected for a third term after defeating Thomas J. Faulkner of the People's Party.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1931. In the presidential election, the result was a victory for incumbent Edwin Barclay of the True Whig Party, who defeated Thomas J. Faulkner of the People's Party to win a first full term.
General elections were held in Liberia in 1939. It was the first presidential election since 1931, as special legislation approved by a referendum in 1935 had extended Edwin Barclay's term from four to eight years. Barclay, a member of the True Whig Party, was the only candidate, and was re-elected unopposed.
A constitutional referendum was held in Liberia on 7 May 1935, alongside general elections. The changes to the constitution ensured that President Edwin Barclay remained in office without the need for the presidential elections due that year. Although it was claimed to be for economic reasons, the government feared that an election may lead to instability that would lower confidence of foreign powers and creditors. The next elections took place in 1939.
Joseph D. Summerville served as the 15th Vice President of Liberia from 1902 until his death in 1905 under Presidents Garretson W. Gibson and Arthur Barclay, making him the only person to serve as vice president under two separate presidents.
The 1980 Liberian coup d'état happened on April 12, 1980, when President William Tolbert was overthrown and murdered in a violent coup. The coup was staged by an indigenous Liberian faction of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) under the command of Master Sergeant Samuel Doe. Following a period of transition Doe would go on to rule the country throughout the 1980s until his murder on 9 September 1990 during the First Liberian Civil War.
