Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Us Presidents

James Garfield

James Abram Garfield (1831–1881) was the 20th president of the United States, serving from March to September 1881.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

James Abram Garfield was the 20th president of the United States, serving only a few months in 1881 before his assassination.

Early life and political career

Garfield was born in Ohio in 1831 and rose from modest beginnings. He worked in education, becoming president of Hiram College, before entering politics. During the Civil War, he served as a Union general and later as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives for nine terms.

Presidency and assassination

Garfield won the presidency in 1880 and took office in March 1881. His brief administration focused on civil service reform. In July 1881, he was shot by Charles J. Guiteau and died in September, becoming the second U.S. president to die in office.

Legacy

Garfield's death intensified debate over federal appointments and helped build support for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. His presidency is studied comparatively in North American history for its impact on federal governance.

In short

  • 20th U.S. president, served only six months.
  • Assassinated by Charles Guiteau in 1881.
  • First sitting House member elected president.
  • Death spurred civil service reform.
Canadian angle

Garfield’s presidency is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as part of U.S. political history, especially because his assassination influenced civil service reform and federal governance in the United States, which are often studied comparatively in North American history.

Quick questions

Who was James Garfield?
He was the 20th president of the United States, a lawyer, educator, Union general, and long-serving congressman.
How did James Garfield die?
He died from complications after being shot by Charles J. Guiteau in July 1881.
What was James Garfield known for?
He is known for his short presidency, his assassination, and being the first sitting member of the House elected president.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_A._Garfield
    Supports: Full name, dates, presidency, and congressional background.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-A-Garfield
    Supports: Dates, presidency, assassination, and historical significance.
  3. Library of Congress — https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-president-james-garfield
    Supports: Inauguration date, assassination context, and death date.
  4. The White House (archived) — https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/james-garfield/
    Supports: Presidency, nine House terms, birthplace, and general biographical details.
  5. Ohio History Connection — https://ohiomemory.ohiohistory.org/archives/6272
    Supports: Ohio birthplace, election context, and legacy after death.