Bloomsbury Academic Liberia, 1900–1950: Accounts of the First African Republic

An eye-witness account from two key figures in Liberia’s struggle with colonial threats and the political, economic, and social changes of five presidential terms of the time of the author. Chronicling Liberian politics and presidential administrations from the start of the twentieth century through the first half of that century with both historical papers and personal accounts from within the hallowed corridors of Liberia, C. Abayomi Cassell (1906–1986) provides an in-depth view witnessed from the vantage point of a key participant. Dr. Cassell served in multiple capacities including, Attorney General of the Republic and Chairman of the Liberian delegation to the first General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946 and was intimately aware of the intricate details of Liberia’s sojourn. Presenting eye-witness accounts from two prominent figures of the time, the author’s father, the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Henry Benedict Cassell (1872–1939), and the author himself (1906–1986), this volume starts with Coleman’s second term in January 1900, a term that was truncated by his resignation in December 1900, and then continues chronicling to 1952, the end of the first eight-year term of President William V. S. Tubman (1944–1971). The author’s immense knowledge is evident in the deep research, historical facts and intimate details illuminated in this book.