William Henry Heard (1850–1937) was a clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who served as United States Ambassador to Liberia

United States Ambassador to Liberia

This is a record of Ambassadors of the United States to Liberia.Liberia, as a nation, had its beginnings in 1821 when groups of free blacks from the United States emigrated from the U.S. and began establishing colonies on the coast under the direction of the American Colonization Society...

 from 1895 through 1898.

Heard was born a slave in Elbert County, Georgia

Elbert County, Georgia

Elbert County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on December 10, 1790 and was named for Samuel Elbert. As of 2000, the population was 20,511. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,525...

. His grandfather was reputedly Thomas Heard, a white man who was probably Thomas Jefferson Heard, son of Stephen Heard

Stephen Heard

Stephen Heard was briefly the 12th Governor of Georgia from when he was appointed on February 18, 1780 until Nathan Brownson was elected the tenth Governor of Georgia in August of 1781 Stephen Heard (November 1, 1740 – November 15, 1815) was briefly the 12th Governor of Georgia (a position later...

.

In the 1870s, Heard lived in South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

, where he was elected to the state legislature as a Republican representing Abbeville County

Abbeville County, South Carolina

Abbeville County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2010, its population was 25,147. Its county seat is Abbeville. It is the first county in the United States alphabetically.-History:...

. He also attended the University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...

 until 1877, when all black students were removed by the state government.

With the help of Henry McNeal Turner

Henry McNeal Turner

Henry McNeal Turner was a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.-Personal Biography:Turner was born "free" in Newberry Courthouse, South Carolina . Instead of being sold into slavery, his family sent him to live with a Quaker family. The law at the time of his birth prevented a black...

, he obtained his diplomatic appointment in 1895 from President Grover Cleveland

Grover Cleveland

Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...

. While in Monrovia, Heard also served as superintendent of the Liberia Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Church and built the first A.M.E. church in the city.