James Skivring Smith

James Skivring Smith ( * 1825 in Charleston, South Carolina; † after 1884) was President of Liberia on 4 November 1871 to January 1, 1872.

James S. Smith was eight years old when he arrived in 1833 in Liberia. Within a year after their arrival, his parents died in the so -called " African fever " ( probably malaria). He studied medicine with Dr. James W. lugenbeel, a white doctor in the service of the American Colonization Society. After his medical training in the United States, Smith returned to Liberia and served as a doctor for the American Colonization Society.

Smith in 1855 for the region ( County) Grand Bassa elected to the Liberian Senate and later became Secretary of State. Since May 1869 Smith was vice president under President Edward J. Roye, until it was overthrown in October, 1871. Until the election of Joseph Jenkins Roberts on January 1, 1872, he was president of Liberia.

From 1874 to 1884 he was Superintendent of Grand Bassa region.