CASSELL, NATHANIEL HENRY BENEDICT

Nathaniel Henry Benedict Cassell (1872-1939), son of Thomas and Rachel Cassell, was educated at Cuttington College and Divinity School, and Liberia College, and was ordained Priest of the Protestant Church, becoming the Rector and builder of Trinity-Pro-Cathedral in Monrovia.  He was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Liberia College, a Professor of the College, and its President in January 1918.

PHOTO CAPTION: Nathaniel H. B. Cassell SOURCE: EA Library

One of the first acts of Cassell was to visit the United States of America immediately after his induction into office as President of the College to discuss its problems.  He also went for a medical examination. On the 17th of July 1918, he met with the officials of the New York State Colonisation Society and read a Statement before the Board. During a visit to Morehouse College, he was fortunate to secure Dean Brawley and his wife as members of the staff of Liberia College.

In January 1920, he reorganised the work of the College and set the date for the first term of the College on the 1st March.  The staff of the College consisted of Cassell, President, Prof. and Mrs. Benjamin Brawley, Prof, T. Ebenezer Ward joined the faculty later during the year, together with the last, Mrs. E.B.B. Kennedy and Mr. Lewis P. Clinton.

On July 26, 1919, Cassell delivered the Oration in the City of New York at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in the interest of Liberia College and predicted high achievements and great progress for the Africans.

He urged enterprising Black young men and women possessing the proper scientific knowledge to come to Africa and to live there as respected citizens.

By 1921, Cassell had increased the number of students attending the College from a bare handful to one hundred and seventy-nine.  He had increased the faculty by the appointment of such able members as John G. A. Richards, Professor of Greek and Latin; Prof. G. O. Marke, Professor of English and French; Nathaniel H.S. Brownell, Professor of Mathematics and Book-keeping, and Julius W. A. Richards, Principal, Grammar Division, and Mrs. Matilda M. Parker as  Assistant Principal of the Grammar Division.  Cassell rendered great services to Liberia College, and it was during his administration that the present site of the University of Liberia was purchased.

Cassell was the founder of the United Brothers of Friendship Society and the Sisters of the Mysterious Ten.  He was great-hearted and public-spirited; and was a leader in the True Whig Party.  He was Most Worshipful Grandmaster of Masons, R.L.

He died in Monrovia in 1939.

NATHANIEL R. RICHARDSON