“No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted, and no one ever retired more generally respected.”
—New York Sun, 1885
Born: October 5, 1829 – Fairfield, Vermont
Died: November 18, 1886 – New York City, New York
Presidency: 1881 – 1885 (after the assassination of James A. Garfield)
Chester Alan Arthur is remembered as a man who rose from the shadows of political corruption to become an unexpected reformer. This was a transformation that Bill O’Reilly describes in Confronting the Presidents as both surprising and inspiring. His life and presidency stand as examples of redemption, personal growth, and the complexities of American politics.
Arthur was the son of a Baptist preacher and an abolitionist mother. He attended Union College, where he excelled academically and became active in debate and political causes. After graduation, he taught school and studied law before moving to New York City to build a successful legal career.
In 1859, he married Ellen “Nell” Herndon, with whom he had three children: William Lewis Arthur, who died in childhood; Chester Alan Arthur Jr.; and Ellen “Nell” Herndon Arthur. His wife died in January 1880, just months before he became Vice President. After becoming president, his sister Mary Arthur McElroy, served as the White House hostess during his administration.
Arthur’s early political career was tied closely to the powerful New York Republican machine led by Senator Roscoe Conkling. As Collector of the New York Custom House, he oversaw one of the most lucrative and politically entrenched federal offices in the nation, where jobs and favors were routinely traded for loyalty. His role in this system ultimately led President Rutherford B. Hayes to fire him for corruption.
When President James A. Garfield was assassinated in 1881, Vice President Arthur unexpectedly assumed the presidency. Many expected him to perpetuate the same corrupt practices that had defined his earlier career, but he surprised the nation by embracing reform. Inspired in part by letters from Julia Sand, a young New Yorker who urged him to rise above his past, Arthur championed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which established competitive exams for federal jobs and curtailed the patronage system.
His administration also worked to modernize the U.S. Navy and improve government efficiency, signaling a genuine commitment to progress and integrity.
Arthur was known for his tall stature, refined manners, and impeccable sense of style. He favored imported Prince Albert coats and high hats, earning the nickname “Elegant Arthur.”
Though he entered office with low expectations, Arthur left behind a legacy of unexpected reform and personal transformation. His presidency is a reminder that even those with a checkered past can rise to the occasion and restore faith in leadership.
Fun Fact:
During the 1880 presidential campaign, critics spread a rumor that Chester Arthur had been born in Canada rather than Vermont, which would have made him ineligible for the presidency. The claim was never proven, but the “birthplace controversy” lingered long after he left office.
Comments(14)