Although his presidency lasted only 200 days, Garfield's full public life intersected much of American history--from the Ohio state legislature, to Civil War battlefields, to the halls of Congress, to the White House. In recent years, as historians have come to place greater importance on the Gilded Age, acknowledging that this age of transformation was more complex, diverse, and significant than previous stereotypes allowed, Garfield has also increased in importance. Although he was shot 120 days after his inauguration, Garfield was one of the most politically experienced presidents in...
Although his presidency lasted only 200 days, Garfield's full public life intersected much of American history--from the Ohio state legislature, to...