in 1835 to protest America's colonization policies. Russwurm wanted to exercise power in the political arena, and felt that Liberia offered him that opportunity while the United States did not. Furthermore, because the United States was not the land of his birth, he did not feel any strong allegiance to it. Russwurm also served as the superintendent of education in Liberia's capital, Monrovia. In 1836 he became the first Black governor of Maryland in Africa, a colony that later became part of Liberia in 1857. He held this post until his death in Cape Palmas on June 9, 1851. He continued to encourage the immigration of African Americans to the Republic of Maryland, and supported its development of agriculture and trade. During his time in Liberia, Russwurm learned several of the native languages. He encouraged trade and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries as well as with European nations. Personal life In 1833, Russwurm married Sarah McGill, daughter of the Lieutenant-Governor of Monrovia and member of the influential McGill family. The couple had a daughter and four sons. In 1850, shortly before his death, Russwurm returned to Maine for a visit, bringing two of his sons with him. They were enrolled at North Yarmouth Academy between 1850 and 1852, and lived with his stepmother, Susan Russwurm Hawes. He had stayed close with her after his father's death years before. Legacy A statue of John Russwurm was erected at his burial site at Harper, Cape Palmas, Liberia. In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante named John Brown Russwurm on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans. The John Brown Russwurm House at Bowdoin College was named after Russwurm in 1970, and houses the school's African American Center. See also Maryland State Colonization Society References Bibliography Alexander, Leslie M. African or American? Black Identity and Political Activism in New York City, 1784–1861 (University of Illinois: 2008). Sagarin, Mary, John Brown Russwurm: The story of Freedom's journal, freedom's journey, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1970. External links Guide to the John Brown Russwurm Collection, 1819–2000. George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collection & Archives, Bowdoin College Library. Russwurm African American Center. Department of Africana Studies, Bowdoin College. 1799 births 1851 deaths Burials in Liberia British emigrants to the United States Americo-Liberian people African-American abolitionists Bowdoin College alumni Writers from Portland, Maine African-American journalists American male journalists African-American publishers (people) American publishers (people) People from Port Antonio