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Hedcut-style ink portrait of James A. Garfield
Drawn from a photo by Brady-Handy Photograph Collection (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

20th President of the United States

James A. Garfield

“The Preacher President”

In office
March 4, 1881 – Sept. 19, 1881
Party
Republican
Home state
Ohio
Lived
1831–1881
Days in office
199
In order
No. 20: after Rutherford B. Hayes, before Chester A. Arthur
Vice president
Chester A. Arthur

Key achievements & events

  • Challenged the power of party bosses over federal appointments
  • Strengthened the Navy and backed civil rights for Black Americans
  • His assassination drove the creation of a merit-based civil service

Remember: He could reportedly write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other at the same time. He was shot four months into office and died 11 weeks later.

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