James Garfield was born on 19th November 1831. He developed a love of learning at elementary school and when he reached the age of 16 he began taking on paid jobs to finance his education. He was particularly interested in classical studies and later found work as a teacher.
By 1859 he had become disillusioned with teaching and began to study law. He was also persuaded to stand as a Republican party candidate for Ohio. He won the seat and entered politics.
In 1861, when the American Civil War began, he became a colonel in the Union army. One year later, in 1862 he took his seat in congress after winning the Ohio election. Although a Republican he was anti slavery and believed that the plantations should be confiscated in order to ensure that slavery was truly abolished.
Garfield continued in politics and in 1880 was nominated to be Republican presidential candidate. He won a very close election and was sworn in as President.
On 2nd July 1881 he was waiting for a train when he was shot in the back by Charles J. Guiteau, a Republican who disapproved of Garfield’s policies.
James Garfield died on 19th September 1881 from the injuries sustained in the assassination attempt.
