William D. Coleman (politician)

William D. Coleman
Coleman in 1897
13th President of Liberia
In office
November 12, 1896 – December 11, 1900
Vice PresidentJoseph J. Ross
Preceded byJoseph James Cheeseman
Succeeded byGarretson W. Gibson
13th Vice President of Liberia
In office
January 4, 1892 – November 12, 1896
PresidentJoseph James Cheeseman
Preceded byJames Thompson
Succeeded byJoseph J. Ross
Personal details
BornJuly 18, 1842
Fayette County, Kentucky, United States
DiedJuly 12, 1908 (aged 65)
Clay-Ashland, Liberia
Political partyTrue Whig
Spouse
  • Ophelia Coleman
    (m. 1896; died 1898)

William David Coleman (July 18, 1842[1] – July 12, 1908) was an Americo-Liberian politician. A True Whig Party member, he served as the 13th president of Liberia from 1896 to 1900. Born in Fayette County, Kentucky, United States, he emigrated to Liberia in 1853. In 1877, he was elected to the House of Representatives and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives until 1879.[2] Later he served in the Senate and then as vice president before assuming the presidency when Joseph James Cheeseman died in office.

  1. ^ "William D. Coleman, Politician born". African American Registry. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  2. ^ Dunn, D. Elwood (4 May 2011). The Annual Messages of the Presidents of Liberia 1848–2010: State of the Nation Addresses to the National Legislature. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783598441691 – via Google Books.