# Edwin Barclay

_Liberian politician (1882-1955)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/edwin-barclay
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Edwin James Barclay was a Liberian politician, poet, and musician who served as the 18th president of Liberia from 1930 until 1944. He was a member of the True Whig political party, which dominated the political governance of the country for decades. Under Barclay's leadership, Liberia was an ally of the United States during World War II.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 5 January 1882 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Monrovia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P19))
- **Died:** 6 November 1955 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P570))
- **Place of death:** Liberia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Liberia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P106))
- **Political party:** True Whig Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P102))
- **Education:** University of Liberia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P69))
- **Positions held:** President of Liberia (3 December 1930 – 3 January 1944); secretary of state (1920–1930); Minister of Foreign Affairs; lawyer; teacher ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P39))
- **Awards:** Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400#P166))

## Questions

**When was Edwin Barclay born?**  
Edwin Barclay was born on 5 January 1882 in Monrovia.

**What positions has Edwin Barclay held?**  
Positions held by Edwin Barclay include: President of Liberia (1930–1944); secretary of state (1920–1930); Minister of Foreign Affairs; lawyer; teacher.

**Where did Edwin Barclay study?**  
Edwin Barclay was educated at University of Liberia.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Edwin Barclay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Barclay) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q735400](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q735400) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Edwin Barclay, President of the Republic of Liberia (cropped).jpg by Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edwin_Barclay,_President_of_the_Republic_of_Liberia_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Edwin Barclay, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Edwin Barclay, President of the Republic of Liberia (cropped).jpg — Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division., Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Edwin Barclay". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/edwin-barclay. Retrieved 8 November 2026.