Tubman, William V(acanarat) S(hadrach)

(born Nov. 29, 1895, Harper, Liberia—died July 23, 1971, London, Eng.) President of Liberia (1944–71). Tubman educated himself in law before entering public service, eventually ascending to the Supreme Court (1937–44). As president, Tubman enacted suffrage and property rights for women, authorized participation in government by all ethnic groups, and established a nationwide public-school system.

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