James Abram Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, lived a life that moved from a log cabin in Ohio to the highest office in the land, only to be cut down by an assassin’s bullet after just a few months in office. His story is one of self-made success, Civil War heroism, and a tragic death that reshaped American politics.
Born into poverty, Garfield rose through education and sheer determination. He became a Union general, a nine-term congressman, and finally a president whose brief tenure was defined by his push for civil service reform. His assassination in 1881, carried out by a deluded office seeker, shocked the nation and left a lasting mark on the country’s political system.
Historians today often describe Garfield as one of the “lost Presidents” of the post-Civil War era. His legacy, however, reaches far beyond his short time in office, influencing everything from government hiring practices to the way presidential security is handled.
Who Was James Garfield? (Biography & Background)
| Presidency | Term | Birth/Death | Vice President |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20th U.S. President | March 1881 – September 1881 | November 19, 1831 – September 19, 1881 | Chester A. Arthur |
- Though his presidency lasted only a few months, Garfield’s assassination transformed medical practice and civil service reform.
- He remains one of the few presidents whose legacy stems more from being “lost” than from legislative achievement.
- His personal battle from poverty to power is a defining narrative of his life.
- Primarily remembered as a martyr rather than as a decisive leader.
- He was the only sitting member of the House of Representatives ever elected president.
- His push for civil rights and anti-corruption measures set a short but notable agenda.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Abram Garfield |
| Born | November 19, 1831, Moreland Hills, Ohio |
| Died | September 19, 1881, Elberon, New Jersey |
| Assassination Date | July 2, 1881 |
| Age at Death | 49 years old |
| Education | Williams College (graduated 1856) |
| Military Rank | Major General, Union Army |
| Congressional Service | Nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives |
| Presidential Term | March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881 (approx. 199 days) |
| Assassin | Charles J. Guiteau |
Garfield was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, on November 19, 1831, and lost his father at age two. He worked his way through school, graduating from Williams College in 1856, and later taught at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, now Hiram College. He entered politics as a Republican and was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1859, according to the White House Historical Association.
When the Civil War erupted, Garfield joined the Union cause. He served as a Major General and is remembered for his leadership at the Battle of Middle Creek in January 1862, where his outnumbered brigade secured Union control in eastern Kentucky. The National Park Service also highlights the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863, as the pinnacle of his military service.
Was James Garfield a Good President?
Evaluating Garfield’s presidency is difficult because of its extreme brevity. He served only about 199 days in office, one of the shortest tenures in U.S. history. Historians generally agree that there is insufficient evidence to rank him as a great leader, but his intentions and early actions provide clues.
What Were His Major Accomplishments?
Garfield’s presidency focused on civil service reform and restoring respect for the office after the turmoil of Reconstruction. The White House Historical Association notes that he attacked political corruption and helped restore presidential prestige. His agenda also included civil rights, according to Biography.com.
How Is He Ranked Among U.S. Presidents?
Most presidential rankings place Garfield near the middle or lower end, largely due to his short term. The Miller Center at the University of Virginia describes him as one of the “lost Presidents” of the post-Civil War era, whose administration is overshadowed by circumstance and brief tenure.
The consensus among historians is that Garfield’s legacy stems more from his tragic death and its aftermath than from legislative achievements during his presidency. His assassination directly spurred the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.
How Was James Garfield Assassinated?
On July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. The shooter was Charles J. Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who believed he deserved a government appointment for helping Garfield win the presidency. Multiple sources, including Britannica, describe Guiteau as mentally unstable or deluded.
The Shooting
Guiteau approached the president from behind and fired two shots. One bullet grazed Garfield’s arm, and the other lodged in his back. The president did not die immediately. He was taken to the White House, where doctors attempted to treat him, but the bullet could not be located.
The Aftermath
Garfield lingered for weeks. The nation followed daily bulletins about his condition. He was eventually moved to Elberon, New Jersey, to escape the summer heat of Washington, but he died there on September 19, 1881.
How Did James Garfield Die? (Timeline & Aftermath)
Garfield’s death was not a direct result of the bullet itself, but rather of the medical care he received. Historians debate the exact cause, but most agree on sepsis from non-sterile medical treatment. Britannica describes “massive infection including sepsis and pneumonia” after the gunshot wounds, and History.com similarly reports that he died of an infection and internal hemorrhage.
Medical Timeline
After being shot, Garfield was treated by multiple doctors who probed the wound with unwashed fingers and non-sterile instruments. The bullet had lodged near his pancreas, and the repeated probing introduced bacteria that led to a severe infection. Alexander Graham Bell attempted to locate the bullet with a metal detector, but the device was thwarted by the metal springs in the president’s mattress.
Modern medical historians argue that Garfield’s wound was not immediately fatal. The infection introduced by physicians’ non-sterile probing was the primary cause of his death. The case became a turning point in medical practice, highlighting the need for antiseptic techniques.
National Mourning
Garfield’s death sparked an outpouring of public grief. His body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda, and his funeral was held in Cleveland, Ohio. The event galvanized support for civil service reform, culminating in the Pendleton Act of 1883.
Garfield’s assassination directly led to the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which replaced the patronage system with merit-based hiring for federal jobs. This was perhaps his most enduring legacy, even though it was enacted after his death.
Who Was James Garfield’s Vice President?
Garfield’s vice president was Chester A. Arthur, a New York politician who had been a prominent figure in the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party. Arthur was chosen as a balancing figure on the ticket, despite Garfield’s own reformist leanings. After Garfield’s death, Arthur succeeded him as the 21st president and, to the surprise of many, championed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which dismantled the very patronage system that had once supported his own political career.
When Was James Garfield Shot and How Long Did He Survive?
- November 19, 1831 — Born in Orange Township (now Moreland Hills), Ohio.
- 1856 — Graduated from Williams College.
- 1861–1863 — Served in the American Civil War; reached the rank of Major General.
- 1863–1880 — Served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- March 4, 1881 — Inaugurated as the 20th President of the United States.
- July 2, 1881 — Shot by Charles Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station.
- September 19, 1881 — Died from infection and blood poisoning in Elberon, New Jersey.
Garfield survived for 79 days after being shot. During that time, he received constant medical attention, much of which may have worsened his condition. The public followed his struggle through daily newspaper bulletins, making his slow death a national ordeal.
What Actually Caused James Garfield’s Death?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| James Garfield was the 20th U.S. President. | Historians debate the exact cause of death, but most agree on sepsis from non-sterile medical care. |
| He was shot on July 2, 1881, in Washington D.C. | The “good president” debate goes both ways due to brevity, although consensus is “insufficient evidence for great leadership.” |
| He died on September 19, 1881. | Whether the bullet itself or the medical treatment was the primary cause remains a subject of historical analysis. |
| Charles Guiteau was the assassin. | Guiteau’s mental state at the time of the shooting is still discussed by historians. |
How Is James Garfield Remembered Today?
Garfield’s presidency was poised to address the patronage system, but the assassination overshadowed his policies. His death became a catalyst for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which fundamentally changed how the federal government hired employees. The Miller Center notes that his death helped push the nation toward reform of government patronage.
Garfield is also remembered in popular culture for being left-handed, a trivia point frequently used to make him more memorable. His full name, James Abram Garfield, is sometimes shortened, and his birthplace in Moreland Hills, Ohio, remains a point of interest for visitors.
For readers interested in other heads of state, the French Presidents – Complete List in Chronological Order offers a parallel perspective on the evolution of executive leadership. Similarly, the story of Nicholas II – The Execution of the Romanov Family and Its Legacy provides a striking contrast in how the violent death of a national leader can shape historical memory.
What Do Historical Sources Reveal About James Garfield?
“Garfield attacked political corruption and helped restore presidential prestige.”
— White House Historical Association
“His death helped push the nation toward reform of government patronage.”
— Miller Center, University of Virginia
“Massive infection including sepsis and pneumonia after the gunshot wounds.”
— Britannica
Primary sources for Garfield’s life and presidency include the Library of Congress collection of his papers, the National Archives lesson plans, and the White House’s official biography. The Miller Center also provides an extensive academic biography.
What Is James Garfield’s Lasting Legacy?
James Garfield’s legacy is a blend of tragedy and reform. His brief presidency and painful death made him a martyr for civil service reform, and the Pendleton Act of 1883 stands as a direct result of his assassination. While he is not ranked among the great presidents, his story of self-made success, Civil War heroism, and the fight against corruption continues to resonate. He is remembered as a man of promise whose potential was cut short, but whose death spurred meaningful change in American government.
Frequently Asked Questions About James Garfield
What was James Garfield’s age at death?
James Garfield was 49 years old when he died on September 19, 1881.
Was James Garfield the first left-handed president?
Garfield is often cited as the first left-handed U.S. president, though the claim is debated and largely based on anecdotal evidence.
How many children did James Garfield have?
James Garfield and his wife Lucretia had seven children, five of whom survived to adulthood.
Where was James Garfield born?
He was born in Orange Township, now Moreland Hills, Ohio, on November 19, 1831.
How long was James Garfield president?
He served as president for approximately 199 days, from March 4, 1881, to September 19, 1881.
Who succeeded James Garfield as president?
His vice president, Chester A. Arthur, succeeded him after his assassination.
Why did Charles Guiteau assassinate James Garfield?
Guiteau believed he deserved a government appointment for his support during Garfield’s campaign and became deluded when his requests were denied.
What was James Garfield’s full name?
His full name was James Abram Garfield.
Did James Garfield serve in the Civil War?
Yes, he served as a Major General in the Union Army and fought at the Battles of Middle Creek and Chickamauga.
What was the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act?
It was a law passed in 1883 that replaced the patronage system with merit-based hiring for federal jobs, largely inspired by Garfield’s assassination.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.