Joseph Jenkins Roberts (March 15, 1809 – February 24, 1876) was the first President of Liberia (1848–1856, 1872–1876).

Roberts was born a free man and was raised in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended the Norfolk Academy and Maury High School. He moved to Petersburg, Virginia, where he worked in his family's boating business. In 1829, his family moved to Liberia and established a trading store in Monrovia. In 1839, Roberts became Liberia's lieutenant governor and afterwards, its governor (1841–1848). He is known as the father of Liberia and helped Liberia win its independence in 1847, and he became the first president of Liberia. Liberia's main airport, Roberts Field, is named in honor of him.

Book

• Virginia's Ninth President, Joseph Jenkins Roberts by C. W. Tazwell

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