"Edward Wilmont Blyden"[August 3 1832-February 7 1912]

Was an Americo-Liberian educator,writer diplomat,and politician primarily in Liberia.He also taught for five years in Sierra Leone,and his writings were influential in both countries.Edward was born to the historian Hollis R.Lynch.Edward met the Rev.John P.Knox, a white American,who became pastor of the St.Thomas Protestant Dutch Reformed Church.Edward and his family live near the church,John was impressed with the studious,intelligent boy.John became his mentor,encouraging Edward considerable aptitude for oratory and literature.Mainly because of his close association with Rev.Knox,Edward decided to become a minister,which his parents encouraged.In May 1850,Edward,accompanied by Rev.Knox's wife,went to the United States to enroll in Rutgers Theological College,Rev.Knox's alma mater.He was refused admission due to his race.Effforts to enroll him in two other theological colleges also failed.Rev.Knox encouraged Edward to go to Liberia and the colony set up by the American Colonization Society (ACS),where he through Edward would be able to use his talents.Later that year he arrived in Liberia and soon became deeply involved in its development.