Assassination of James A. Garfield — 1881 murder of the 20th President of the United States
Garfield's assassination, the second of a U.S. president, exposed the dangers of the spoils system and led to civil service reform.
Key Facts
- Date of shooting
- July 2, 1881
- Date of death
- September 19, 1881
- Shooter
- Charles J. Guiteau
- Months into presidency
- Less than 4 months
- Guiteau's fate
- Executed by hanging
- Assassination order
- 2nd U.S. president assassinated
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Charles J. Guiteau, a mentally unstable office seeker, believed his minor campaign work had secured Garfield's 1880 presidential victory and that he was owed a diplomatic post in Europe. After months of being rebuffed by the Garfield administration, Guiteau purchased a revolver and began stalking the president with intent to kill.
On July 2, 1881, Guiteau shot President Garfield twice at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. One bullet grazed Garfield; the other lodged in his back. He was taken to the White House and received medical treatment for over two months, but repeated probing for the bullet by physicians introduced severe infection and sepsis.
Garfield died on September 19, 1881, and was succeeded by Vice President Chester A. Arthur. Guiteau's high-profile trial ended in his execution by hanging after the insanity defense failed. The assassination intensified public outrage over the patronage system, contributing to the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883.
Political Outcome
President Garfield died from his wounds and resulting infection; Vice President Chester A. Arthur assumed the presidency. Assassin Charles J. Guiteau was convicted and executed by hanging.
James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States
Chester A. Arthur, 21st President of the United States