The Republic of Liberia was initially established in 1822 by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed slaves in America to migrate to Africa. Documentation of the country in the Rubenstein Library range from print and archival materials speak to a number of topics including: the experiences of these migrants in their move, interactions with indigenous Africans, slave trading, missionary efforts to spread the Christian faith, correspondences with former masters in America, and recruitment of others to return to their ancestral home. Resources after the period of slavery in the US also include print and archival resources, discuss the history of Libreria in the early twentieth century, the continuation of missionary work in the country, the impact of world war, and the onset of liberation movements in the mid 20th century.
LC Subject Headings
African Americans -- Colonization -- Africa
African Americans -- Colonization -- Liberia
American Colonization Society.
Liberia -- Description and travel
Liberia -- Emigration and immigration
Maryland State Colonization Society
Slavery -- United States -- Periodicals
United States -- Emigration and immigration
Letter from North Carolinian Louis Sheridan to New York abolitionist Lewis Tappan, criticizing colonization societies' schemes to send freed slaves to Africa.
Books: 1800 -1900
African colonization. An enquiry into the origin, plan, & prospects of the American Colonization Society; being an extract from an article in the December number of the American quarterly review, for 1828. Fredericksburg [Va.] Printed at the Arena Office, 1829.
American Colonization Society, and the colony at Liberia. Massachusetts Colonization Society. Boston, Printed by Peirce & Parker, 1831.
Official Report of the Niger Valley Exploring Party by M. R. Delany, Chief Commissioner to Africa. Niger Valley Exploring Party. New York, T. Hamilton; [etc., etc.] 1861.
A few facts respecting the American colonization society, and the colony at Liberia. American Colonization Society. Washington: Printed by Way and Gideon, 1830.
Memorial of the semi-centennial anniversary of the American Colonization Society, celebrated at Washington, January 15, 1867. With documents concerning Liberia. American Colonization Society. Washington, The Society, 1867.
Emigration to Liberia. American Colonization Society. Washington, D.C. The Society, 1883.
Since Emancipation: to the friends of Africa's redemption. -- American Colonization Society. [S.l.]: American Colonization Society, [1871?]
Want to go to Liberia -- American Colonization Society. [S.l.]: American Colonization Society, [1871?]
Memoir of the life and character of the Rev. Samuel Bacon, A.M.: late, an officer of marines in the United States' service: afterwards, attorney at law in the state of Pennsylvania: and subsequently, a minister of the Episcopal Church, and principal agent of the American government for persons liberated from slave-ships, on the coast of Africa; where he terminated his life in the month of May, 1820. Jehudi Ashmun. Washington City: : Sold by the booksellers of the District of Columbia; Richmond; Petersburg; Norfolk; Baltimore; Philadelphia; New York; New Haven, and Boston. Jacob Gideon, Junior, Printer, 1822, [c1821].
History of the American colony in Liberia, from December 1821 to 1823. Compiled from the authentic records of the colony. Jehudi Ashmun. Washington City [D.C.]: Printed by Way & Gideon. 1826.
Examination of Mr. Thomas C. Brown, a free colored citizen of S. Carolina, as to the actual state of things in Liberia in the years 1833 and 1834 at the Chatham Street chapel, May 9th and 10th, 1834 [microform]. Thomas C. Brown. New York, S. W. Benedict & co., printers, 1834.
Ethiopia: her gloom and glory, as illustrated in the history of the slave trade and slavery, the rise of the Republic of Liberia, and the progress of African missions. David Christy. With an introduction by W. P. Strickland. Cincinnati, Rickey, Mallory & Webb, 1857.
Remains of Melville B. Cox, late missionary to Liberia. With a memoir by the Rev. Gershom F. Cox. Melville B. Cox. New York: T. Mason and G. Lane, 1840.
The duty of a rising Christian state to contribute to the world's well-being and civilization, and the means by which it may perform the same: the annual oration before the Common Council and the citizens of Monrovia, Liberia--July 26, 1855, being the day of national independence. Rev. Alex. Crummell. [Boston]: Reprinted by the Massachusetts Colonization Society, 1857.
Notice sur la colonie de Liberia. Berne: J. Dalp; Geneve: J. Cherbuliez; Lausanne: Delafontaine, 1853.
Africa and the American flag. Andrew H. Foote. New York [etc.] D. Appleton & Co., 1854.
Constitution and by-laws of the Elizabeth City (N.C.) Freedmen's Emigrant Aid Society. Freedmen's Emigrant Aid Society, Elizabeth City, N.C. [S.l.: s.n., 1871?]
Journal of a Voyage to Liberia, and a visit to several of its settlements. Thomas Fuller, Jr. Baltimore, Printed by John D. Toy, 1851.
Information about Going to Liberia: With Things Which Every Emigrant Ought to Know. Report of Messrs. Fuller and Janifer; sketch of the history of Liberia and the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia. Washington?]: American Colonization Society, 1852 (Washington: C. Alexander).
Life of Jehudi Ashmun: late colonial agent in Liberia. With an appendix, containing extracts from his journal and other writings; with a brief sketch of the life of the Rev. Lott Cary. Ralph Randolph Gurley. Washington: Printed by James C. Dunn, 1835.
An Address to the Free People of Color of the State of Maryland. James Hall, general agent of the Maryland State Colonization Society. Baltimore, Printed by J.D. Toy, 1859.
The Bright Side of African Life. William Henry Heard. Philadelphia, A. M. E. publishing house [1898].
Africa and colonization. An address delivered before the American Colonization Society, January 21, 1873... Edward P. Humphrey. Washington, D.C., M'Gill & Witherow, 1873.
The New Republic. Helen C. Knight. Boston: Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, 1850.
The Regina Coeli: correspondence between the Hon. James H. Hammond and John H.B. Latrobe. John H. B Latrobe. Baltimore, Printed by J.D. Toy, 1858.
Liberia: its origin, rise, progress and results. An address delivered before the American Colonization Society, January 20th, 1880. John H. B. Latrobe. Washington City, Colonization Building, 1880.
Maryland in Liberia: a history of the colony planted by the Maryland State Colonization Society under the auspices of the State of Maryland, U.S., at Cape Palmas on the south-west coast of Africa, 1833-1853: A paper read before the Maryland Historical Society, March 9th, 1885. John H. B. Latrobe (John Hazlehurst Boneval Latrobe). Baltimore: [s.n.], 1885 (Baltimore: John Murphy & Co.).
Sketches of Liberia: comprising a brief account of the geography, climate, productions, and diseases, of the republic of Liberia. J.W. Lugenbeel. Washington, C. Alexander, Printer, 1850.
Sketches of Liberia: comprising a brief account of the geography, climate, productions, and diseases, of the republic of Liberia. J.W. Lugenbeel. Washington, C. Alexander, printer, 1853.
The Liberian exodus. First voyage of the Azor. Liberia a delightful country. Climate, soil and productions. Character of the people in Liberia; and how they live. Full information of the Exodus movement. The Steamship. Liberian Exodus Association (Charleston, S.C.). Charleston, S. C., W. J. Oliver's print, 1878.
American Colonization Society, and the colony at Liberia. Massachusetts Colonization Society. Boston, Printed by Perkins & Marvin, 1832.
Speech of Mr. Miller, of New Jersey, on the exploration of the interior of Africa, and in favor of recognizing the independence of Liberia, delivered in the Senate of the United States, March 3, 1853. Jacob Welsh Miller. [Washington: Printed at the Congressional Globe Office, 1853?].
Liberia described. A discourse embracing a description of the climate, soil, productions, animals, missionary work, improvements, &c. With a full description of the acclimating fever. Armistead Miller. Philadelphia, J.M. Wilson, 1859.
African colonization - its progress and prospects. Addresses delivered by William H. Allen and John Crozer, at the anniversary meeting of the Pennsylvania Colonization Society, held in Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, October 25, 1863. Pennsylvania Colonization Society. Philadelphia, W. F. Geddes, printer [1863].
A review of the cause and the tendency of the issues between the two sections of the country, with a plan to consolidate the views of the people of the United States in favor of emigration to Liberia, as the initiative to the efforts to transform the present system of labor in the southern states into a free agricultural tenantry, by the respective legislatures, with the support of Congress to make it a national measure. Lewis H. Putnam. Albany, N.Y.: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1859.
On the Republic of Liberia, its products and resources. By Gerard Ralston. A paper read before the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, May 21st, 1862. Gerard Ralston. [London, 1862].
The Republic of Liberia : an address delivered by Hon. Joseph J. Roberts, president of Liberia College and the first president of the Republic of Liberia, 1847-1855, at the fifty-second anniversary meeting of the American Colonization Society, held in Washington, D.C., January 19, 1869. Joseph J. Roberts. Washington, D.C.: ... M'Gill & Witherow, Printers, 1869.
Independence of Hayti and Liberia.: Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, on the bill to authorize the appointment of diplomatic representatives to the republics of Hayti and Liberia, with the debate thereon; in the Senate of the United States, April 23 and 24, 1862. Charles Summer. Washington: Printed at the Congressional Globe Office. 1862.
The Liberian Republic As It Is. George R. Stetson. Boston, A. Williams, 1881.
Whites and Blacks; or, The Question Settled. Charles Henry James Taylor. Atlanta, Ga., J. P. Harrison & Co., Printers, 1889.
Adventures and observations on the west coast of Africa, and its islands. Historical and descriptive sketches of Madeira, Canary, Biafra, and Cape Verde islands; their climates, inhabitants, and productions. Accounts of places, peoples, customs, trade, missionary operations, etc., etc., on that part of the African coast lying between Tangier, Morocco, and Benguela. Charles W. Thomas. New York, Derby & Jackson, 1860.
To the Citizens of Jefferson County. W. P. Thomasson. [N.p. n.p. 184?]
Report of the Naval Committee to the House of Representatives, August, 1850, in favor of the establishment of a line of mail steamships to the western coast of Africa, and thence via the Mediterranean to London; designed to promote the emigration of free persons of color from the United States to Liberia: also to increase the steam navy, and to extend the commerce of the United States. With an appendix added by the American Colonization Society. United States Congress. House Committee on Naval Affairs. Washington, Printed by Gideon and Co., 1850.
History of the Negro race in America from 1619 to 1880. Negroes as slaves, as soldiers, and as citizens. George Washington Williams. New York, London, G. P. Putnam's sons 1885 [c1882].
A concise history of the commencement, progress and present condition of the American colonies in Liberia. Samuel Wilkeson. Washington, Printed at the Madisonian Office, 1839.
Books: 1900 - present day
Liberia. [S.l.: s.n., 1954?].
The Darling. Russell Banks. New York: HarperCollins, c2004.
Cultural Policy in Liberia. Kenneth Y. Best. Paris: Unesco Press, 1974.
A Land and Life Remembered: Americo-Liberian Folk Architecture. Photographs by Max Belcher; text by Svend E. Holsoe and Bernard L. Herman; afterword by Rodger P. Kingston. Athens: University of Georgia Press; [Brockton, Mass.]: Brockton Art Museum/Fuller Memorial, c1988.
Three West African Nations; A Comparative Study. William L. Bishop. [New York, American - African Affairs Association, 1969].
Exhibition of objects illustrating the history and condition of the republic of Liberia: March twenty-three to April four, nineteen hundred and fourteen. Catalogue. Chicago Historical Society. [Chicago: 1914].
Exhibition of objects illustrating the history and condition of the republic of Liberia March twenty-three to April four, nineteen hundred and fourteen. Catalogue. Chicago Historical Society. [Chicago: 1914].
The Price of Liberty: African Americans and the Making of Liberia. by Claude A. Clegg III. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2004.
Three Million Negroes Thank the State of Virginia. Letters of Thanks. Earnest Sevier Cox. Richmond, Distributed by Earnest Sevier Cox [c1940].
Behold Uncle Sam's Step-Child. Bill Frank Enoanyi. Accra, Ghana: Asma Publications, c1991.
Youth and Development; Speech Given at the University of Monrovia, Liberia, on 18th November, 1965. Habib Bourguiba. [Monrovia? 1965].
Reflections of an African Nationalist. T.O. Dosumu-Johnson. New York: Vantage Press, c1980.
Liberia: A Visit Through Books. by Izetta Roberts Cooper with Kyra E. Hicks. [S.l.] : www.lulu.com, c2008.
Zest for Quest: A Peace Corps Experience. Beth Hitchcock. Cohasset, MA: Beth Hitchcock, 1977.
The War Machines: Young Men and Violence in Sierra Leone and Liberia. by Danny Hoffman. Durham [N.C.]: Duke University Press, 2011.
Easy Prey: Child Soldiers in Liberia. Human Rights Watch/Africa, Human Rights Watch Children's Right[s] Project. New York: Human Rights Watch, c1994.
Liberia: Emerging from the Destruction: Human Rights Challenges Facing the New Liberian Government. Human Rights Watch / Africa. New York; London: Human Rights Watch, 1997.
Liberia. Harry Johnston. London, Hutchinson & Co., 1906.
African Adventure. Josephine James. Illustrated by Stan Klimley. New York, Golden Press [1965].
Liberii︠a︡: istoricheskiĭ ocherk. Inessa Aleksandrovna Khodosh. Moskva: Izd-vo vostochnoĭ lit-ry, 1961.
Delivered Through Rain: A True Account of How God Delivered a Family During the Liberian Civil. War K. Oduro-Afriyie. Accra: Asempa Publishers, Christian Council of Ghana, 1999.
Africa as I have known it; Nyasaland--East Africa--Liberia--Sénégal. R.C.F. Maugham (Reginald Charles Fulke). London, J. Murray [1929].
Four years in Liberia: the quadrennial report to the General Conference of 1908. Isaiah B. Scott. New York: Africa Diamond Jubilee Commission, Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1908.
The House at Sugar Beach. Helene Cooper. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Brothers and Strangers: Black Zion, Black Slavery, 1914-1940. Ibrahim Sundiata. Durham [N.C.]: Duke University Press, 2003.
The Liberian Crisis. Henry Litchfield West. Washington, D.C.: American Colonization Society, 1933.
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Ganta, a handmade mission… Betty Burleigh. [New York, Editorial dept., Joint Division of Education and Cultivation, Board of Missions and church extension, The Methodist Church, n.d.
Journals or Magazines / Serials
Manuscripts
Maps
Online Resources
Serials / Books
This LibGuide was created by Gloria Ayee, Ph.D., John Hope Franklin Research Center Graduate Intern 2015-16.
Brothers and Strangers by 
The Darling by 
The House at Sugar Beach by 
The Price of Liberty by 
The War Machines by 
A Land and Life Remembered by 
Liberia - Easy Prey by 
Liberia: A Visit Through Books by 
Cultural Policy in Liberia by 
