James Garfield was the 20th President of the United States, serving from March to September 1881. He was born in Ohio in 1831 and was a skilled orator and lawyer before entering politics. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1862 and served there until he was elected to the Senate in 1880. Garfield was known for his support of civil rights and education reform. He was assassinated by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office-seeker, just six months into his presidency. Despite his short time in office, Garfield's legacy lives on through his advocacy for education and civil rights.