James A. Garfield (1831-1881) was an American politician from Ohio who served as the 20th president of the United States from 4 March 1881 until his death the following 19 September. A popular, hard-working man, he was driven by his abolitionist beliefs to join the Republican Party in the mid-1850s. He fought for the Union during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and, after winning election to Congress, played a pivotal role in Reconstruction. He was unexpectedly elevated to the presidency in 1881, but his tenure was cut short when he was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau, a disillusioned office-seeker.
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