Tolbert, William Richard (1913-1980)

Liberian politician and 19th president of Liberia, 1971-80. He succeeded the long-standing president William V S Tubman, and was the last president to come from the American-African elite that had ruled Liberia for 160 years since its foundation. Tolbert was executed in a coup by African Liberians under Master Sergeant Samuel Doe in 1980

Tolbert was born at Bensonville and educated at Liberia College (now the University of Liberia, Monrovia), graduating in 1934. After working in the Liberian Treasury 1935-43, he was a member of House of Representatives for the True Whig Party 1943-51,and then Tubman's vice-president for 20 years, 1951-71. A devout Baptist, he was also, from 1965, president of the Baptist World Alliance.