LIBERIA-PRESIDENT-TUBMAN

Portrait of Liberian President William Tubman working at his desk in Monrovia in 1956. Born 29 November 1895 in Harper, Liberia, Tubman grew up in poverty and under severe discipline. Tubman first planned to be a preacher and was accredited, at 19, as a Methodist lay pastor. He studied law and at 23 successfully passed the bar exam. He later won the election to the local legislature and occupied a wide range of public offices. At 35 he won election to the Liberian Senate. In 1943 he unexpectedly announced his candidacy for the presidency. Tubman won handily in the ensuing election and six times thereafter. Tubman died in London on July 23, 1971, shortly after his election to a seventh term as president. He was immediately succeeded by Vice president William R. Tolbert. (FILM) (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)