James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, had a remarkable journey from a humble beginning to the highest office in the country. Despite being born into poverty and facing numerous challenges throughout his childhood, Garfield was determined to receive a good education. He immersed himself in books and eventually studied at Williams College. Garfield’s passion for politics led him to become a supporter of the Republican Party and actively participate in the American Civil War. His bravery and leadership on the battlefield earned him the rank of brigadier general. After the war, Garfield continued his political career and gained prominence as a Republican politician. In 1880, he was nominated as the Republican candidate for presidency and won the election. However, his presidency was tragically cut short when he was assassinated just months after taking office.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: James Abram Garfield
- Died At Age: 49
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Lucretia Garfield
- Father: Abram Garfield
- Mother: Eliza Ballou Garfield
- Children: Abram Garfield, Edward Garfield, Eliza Garfield, Harry Augustus Garfield, Irvin M. Garfield, James Rudolph Garfield, Mary Garfield
- Born Country: United States
- Presidents
- Political Leaders
- Political ideology: Political party – Republican
- Died on: September 19, 1881
- Place of death: Elberon, Long Branch, New Jersey, United States
- Ancestry: British American
- U.S. State: Ohio
Childhood & Early Life
James Garfield was born on November 19, 1831, in Ohio to Abram and Eliza Garfield. He was the youngest of their five children. His father, a wrestler, died when James was an infant, leaving behind Eliza alone to fend for the children. He grew up in poverty and had a difficult childhood that was further complicated by his mother’s troubled second marriage which ended in divorce. He remained close to his mother through all the tough times.
Education
He loved reading from a young age and excelled in academics, particularly Latin and Greek. He attended the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later renamed Hiram College) from 1851 to 1854. Then he went to Williams College from where he graduated in 1856.
Career
After completing his studies, he returned to Hiram College where he was appointed professor of ancient languages. He was made the college’s president in 1857. By this time, he had developed a keen interest in politics and wanted to pursue a career as a politician. He also began studying law and was admitted to the bar in 1861.
He opposed slavery and since his principles were similar to that of the Republicans, he joined the newly organized Republican Party. In 1859, he was elected to the Ohio State Senate and served there till 1861. The American Civil War broke out in 1861 and Garfield helped recruit the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry and became its colonel. He continued with his political career as well and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives following the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862). He distinguished himself with his valiant display of courage in the battles and became a much-respected army man. After the Battle of Chickamauga, Garfield was promoted to the rank of major general. He served nine terms in the House of Representatives until 1880 and the same year the Ohio legislature elected him to the U.S. Senate. He was chosen as the Republican presidential nominee to run for the 1880 presidential election.
Presidency and Legacy
James Garfield faced the Democrat General Winfield Scott Hancock in the election. Both the men were Civil War veterans with notable military careers. Garfield launched a very impressive election campaign, with a campaign biography written by the famed author Horatio Alger, and went on to win the election. He was inaugurated as the President of the United States on March 4, 1881, along with Chester A. Arthur as the Vice President. A strong advocate of racial equality, he was committed to the cause of civil rights. He strongly opposed slavery and believed that the federal government should implement a universal education system for the emancipation of blacks. He also appointed several former slaves to prominent government positions. He advocated the implementation of technology in agriculture and proposed substantial civil service reforms. However, he never got the chance to make his plans a reality as he was assassinated within months of becoming the president.
Personal Life & Legacy
James Garfield married Lucretia Rudolph, a former classmate, in November 1858. They had four sons and a daughter who lived to maturity. Garfield had an extramarital affair with Lucia Calhoun in the 1860s though he later admitted this to his wife and sought her forgiveness. On July 2, 1881, he was shot in the back by Charles Julius Guiteau at the railroad station in Washington, D.C. Guiteau was an emotionally disturbed man who had failed to get an appointment in the Garfield administration. He surrendered to the police after the shooting. The president was rushed to the hospital where a group of prominent doctors tended to him. The chances of his survival were slim from the very beginning and he developed blood poisoning and succumbed on September 19, 1881. The James A. Garfield Monument was dedicated to him in Washington in 1887.