Owen L. W. Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Minister toLiberia | |
| In office 1898–1902 | |
| Preceded by | William H. Heard |
| Succeeded by | John R. A. Crossland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Owen Lun West Smith (1851-05-18)May 18, 1851 Giddensville,Sampson County, North Carolina, US |
| Died | January 5, 1926(1926-01-05) (aged 74) Wilson,North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Livingstone College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Owen Lun West Smith (May 18, 1851 – January 5, 1926) was anAfrican Americanminister anddiplomat of theUnited States.
Smith was born intoslavery in Giddensville,Sampson County, North Carolina, on May 18, 1851.[1] At the start of theCivil War, he would follow theConfederate army while serving as a personal servant. Later on, however, he would enlist in theUnion Army and go on to fight in theBattle of Bentonville.[2][3]
After becoming afreedman, Smith worked as ateacher before getting a scholarship to attend theUniversity of South Carolina from 1874 to 1876.[2][3]
In 1880 Smith would convert to theAfrican Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, while attending a camp inWhiteville, North Carolina; later on, by 1881, he would attain a preacher's license and was ordained as a localdeacon.[4][5] Following his conversion, he would go on to receive anhonoraryDoctor of Divinity degree fromLivingstone College in 1883.[2][3]
After having been appointed on February 11, 1898, Smith would go on to serve as theMinister Resident of theUnited States toLiberia between May 11, 1898, and May 13, 1902.[6][7]
Smith died on January 5, 1926, inWilson, North Carolina, where he was later buried.[2][6][8]
| Commissioner and Consul General | |
|---|---|
| Minister Resident/Consul General | |
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
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