Chester Alan Arthur

Republican President of United States of America

Vice President
United States of America
March 4, 1881 - September 19, 1881
President
United States of America
September 19, 1881 - March 4, 1885

Congresses Served

Vice President Terms

President Terms

October 5, 1829 (57 years old)

Birthday

November 18, 1886

Death

Served as the 21st President of the United States from 1881 to 1885.
Assumed the presidency following the assassination of President James A. Garfield.
Born in Vermont and grew up in upstate New York, practiced law in New York City.
Served as quartermaster general of the New York Militia during the American Civil War.
Became involved in New York Republican politics and rose in prominence within the party.
Appointed as Collector of the Port of New York by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1871.
Played a key role in the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party.
Fired from his role as Collector of the Port of New York by President Rutherford B. Hayes as part of civil service reform efforts.
Nominated for vice president in 1880 to balance the Republican ticket and appease Stalwart faction members.
As president, focused on reforming the civil service, enforcing immigration restrictions, and modernizing the U.S. Navy.
Signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act into law, surprising reformers given his background as a Stalwart.
Did not seek re-election due to poor health and retired after his term.
Died in 1886, a year after leaving office.
His presidency is generally ranked as mediocre or average by historians, but he earned respect for his integrity and efforts towards civil service reform.
Involved in significant legal cases before his presidency, including Lemmon v. New York and representing Elizabeth Jennings Graham, which contributed to the desegregation of New York City streetcar lines.
His administration saw the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the Immigration Act of 1882, reflecting the era’s restrictive immigration policies.
Advocated for and oversaw the beginning of a resurgence in U.S. naval power.
Struggled with the question of civil rights for African Americans, with limited success in influencing Congress on the issue.
Managed a significant federal budget surplus, attempting to reduce tariffs and excise taxes.
His presidency marked a transition period in American politics, from the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era, with a growing emphasis on reform and government efficiency.