Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886) was the 21st president of the United States from 1881 to 1885. Before becoming president, he was most noted as the Collector of Customs for the Port of New York, a job he got from his political friendships. Arthur was the first president of the United States to take oath of office at his own house.

Chester A. Arthur
Portrait by Daniel Huntington
21st President of the United States
In office September 19, 1881 – March 4, 1885
Vice President	None
Preceded by	James A. Garfield
Succeeded by	Grover Cleveland
20th Vice President of the United States
In office March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
President	James A. Garfield
Preceded by	William A. Wheeler
Succeeded by	Thomas A. Hendricks
Personal details
Born	(1829-10-05)October 5, 1829 Fairfield, Vermont
Died	November 18, 1886(1886-11-18) (aged 57) New York City, New York
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur

Arthur was a lawyer in New York City. Two of his cases were famous. One confirmed that any slave brought to New York State was automatically set free. The other ended the racial segregation of streetcars in the city.

After President James A. Garfield was assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau, Vice-President Arthur replaced him. Guiteau expected the new president to pardon him. That did not happen, and Guiteau was executed.

During Arthur's term, a major problem was that politicians were appointing their friends such as himself to high political offices, instead of the best-qualified people. The problem was solved after he promoted the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. It required people to pass tests before they could be appointed to many civil service jobs.

Chester A. Arthur Media

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  Arthur's birthplace in Fairfield, Vermont

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  Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886) Twenty-first President (1881-1885) Chester Arthur posed for this daguerreotype before his marriage to Ellen Herndon in 1859. Now in his late twenties, he was just beginning rise as the "Gentleman Boss" of his state's Republican party - a nickname largely inspired by Arthur's lifelong fondness for scrupulously tailored clothing.

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  The New York Custom House (formerly the Merchants' Exchange building at 55 Wall Street) was Arthur's office for seven years.

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  A cartoon depicting President Rutherford B. Hayes kicking Arthur out of the New York Custom House

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  Garfield–Arthur campaign poster

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  1880 electoral vote results

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  Arthur taking the oath of office as administered by Judge John R. Brady at Arthur's home in New York City, September 20, 1881

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  On the threshold of office, what have we to expect of him? In an 1881 Puck cartoon, Arthur faces the cabinet after President Garfield was shot.

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  A political cartoon from 1882, criticizing Chinese exclusion

Other websites

• Arthur's White House biography Archived 2009-01-17 at the Wayback Machine