 "Presidents of the United States: James A Garfield, whose term cut down by assassination")
Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of profiles taking a closer look at US presidents ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
James A Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, served just 200 days in office before his presidency was cut short by an assassin’s bullet.
A scholar, Civil War hero, and advocate for civil service reform, Garfield was known for his strong moral character and dedication to improving the efficiency and integrity of the federal government.
His assassination in 1881 not only stunned the nation but also catalysed the movement for reform that Garfield had championed during his brief time as US president.
Garfield’s personal life and career
James Abram Garfield was born on November 19, 1831, in a log cabin in Orange Township, Ohio (now Moreland Hills). Raised in poverty after his father died when Garfield was just 18 months old, he was brought up by his mother, Eliza Ballou Garfield.
Garfield was an avid learner and attended Williams College in Massachusetts, where he graduated with honours in 1856. Afterward, he returned to Ohio and began teaching at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (now Hiram College), eventually becoming the school’s president.
During this period, Garfield also studied law, gaining admission to the Ohio bar in 1861.
Garfield married Lucretia Rudolph in 1858, and they had seven children together. Lucretia was a devoted partner throughout Garfield’s political career and became an advocate for historical preservation after his death.
Their son, James Rudolph Garfield, later served as Secretary of the Interior under US President Theodore Roosevelt.
Garfield was known for his love of books and learning. He was a man of deep intellectual curiosity, fluent in multiple languages, and often engaged in discussions about philosophy, theology, and law.
Garfield’s political career began in the Ohio State Senate in 1859, where he aligned with the anti-slavery Republican Party. However, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 marked a turning point in his life, and Garfield quickly enlisted in the Union Army.
Civil War & US Congress
Garfield served with distinction during the Civil War, rising to the rank of major general. His leadership during key battles, such as the Battle of Middle Creek in Kentucky, garnered attention, and he became one of the youngest generals in the Union Army.
His military success, combined with his strong support for US President Abraham Lincoln’s policies, brought him national recognition.
In 1862, while still in the army, Garfield was elected to the US House of Representatives. He reluctantly left military service to take up the position, where he would serve for 17 years.
During his time in Congress, Garfield developed a reputation as an articulate and thoughtful leader, advocating for Reconstruction policies, civil rights for freed slaves, and fiscal responsibility. He was known for his mastery of public finance and his deep understanding of government operations.
Garfield’s commitment to civil service reform and reducing the influence of political patronage became a hallmark of his congressional career. He also played a key role in advocating for the development of infrastructure, supporting projects like the expansion of the railroad system, which was critical to national growth after the Civil War.
1880 US presidential election
In 1880, the Republican Party was divided between the factions of Stalwarts (who supported the patronage system) and Half-Breeds (who advocated for civil service reform).
Garfield, a compromise candidate, was nominated for the presidency at the Republican National Convention after 36 ballots. His selection was unexpected, as he had initially gone to the convention to support fellow Ohioan John Sherman’s candidacy.
Garfield’s Democratic opponent in the election was Winfield Scott Hancock, a former Union general. Despite a close race, Garfield won the popular vote by a narrow margin but secured a decisive victory in the Electoral College, becoming the 20th President of the United States.
Garfield’s 200 days as US president
Garfield’s presidency began with a focus on reforming the corrupt political patronage system that dominated federal appointments. He strongly supported the ‘merit-based civil service’ system, believing that government officials should be appointed based on their qualifications rather than political connections.
His stance put him at odds with the Stalwart faction of his party, particularly with US Senator Roscoe Conkling of New York, who wielded significant influence in distributing government jobs.
Garfield’s efforts to assert presidential authority in appointing officials led to a public confrontation with Conkling over the control of federal appointments in New York. Garfield ultimately prevailed, securing the resignation of Conkling and demonstrating his commitment to reform.
Garfield also made foreign policy moves during his short time in office, particularly regarding relations with Latin American countries, promoting pan-American cooperation.
Domestically, he sought to modernise the US Navy and improve national infrastructure, but his time in office was too brief to see these initiatives fully realised.
Assassination & Death
On July 2, 1881, just four months into his presidency, James A. Garfield was shot by Charles J Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, DC.
Guiteau had been denied a government position and believed that by assassinating Garfield, he would help unite the Republican Party under US Vice President Chester A Arthur, who was aligned with the Stalwarts.
Garfield survived the initial gunshot wounds but suffered from severe infections due to poor medical care.
For over two months, doctors probed his wounds without sterilisation, leading to further complications.
Despite efforts to save him, including a new air-cooling system installed to help him through the summer heat, Garfield succumbed to his injuries on September 19, 1881, becoming the second US president to be assassinated, after Abraham Lincoln.
A legacy alive in civil reform
Though his time in office was tragically short, James A Garfield’s presidency is remembered for his strong stance on civil service reform and his principled approach to governance.
His assassination helped spur the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment and marked the beginning of the end of the spoils system that had dominated US politics for decades.
Garfield’s legacy as a scholar, soldier, and reform-minded leader endures, with his untimely death symbolising the critical need for integrity and efficiency in government service.
His assassination also underscored the dangers of the patronage system and the importance of fair and impartial appointments in the US federal government.
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