One of three first-generation American presidents

Father a traveling preacher in New England; fiercely antislavery

After Union College taught school and studied law

Considered sensitive and sentimental

Whig throughout 1840s and 50s; first presidential vote was Winfield Scott

Learned about holding power by seeing Weed’s New York machine

Married Nell Herndon, captain’s daughter, in New York 1859

Promoted to NY quartermaster general during war by NY governor

Good reviews from others of his role during Civil War

Wife and family sympathetic to Confederacy, while Arthur was in Union Army

Lost 2.5 yo son to “convulsions” in 1863

Conservative Republican in 1864; supported Johnson for VP, against Greeley’s radicals

Dealt with Tammany Hall and Tweed in late 1860s, but tarnished once Tweed fell

Appointed to NY Customhouse in December 1871 in midst of civil service reform movement

Reappointed to customhouse in 1872 with support from Grant and Conklin

Supported Conkling’s presidential bid in 1876 but then switched to Hayes when got the nomination

In 1878 suspended from the Customhouse after he disclosed John Sherman letter about patronage; left him free to do party work exclusively

Constant late nights and working away from family, so was in Albany when Nell caught pneumonia in NYC; he returned but she never regained consciousness

Once Grant’s push for third term hit roadblock at convention, Garfield emerged as compromise candidate; Arthur a consolation to Conkling wing, who was for Grant

During 1880 campaign accused by Democrats of being foreign-born in Canada

Once Arthur sworn in there was no VP, President of the Senate, or Speaker of the House because Congress hadn’t convened yet

Expected to select Conkling for Secretary of State but didn’t want to be seen as corrupt in new role

Youngest sister Mary served as First Lady

When president, daughter 10 years old and lived in NY until 1882; son a freshman at Princeton

Indifference to foreign affairs during the Gilded Age: “From Appomattox to the sinking of the Maine the nation was preoccupied with its own internal developments.”

Visited his “little dwarf” correspondent Julia Sand in 1882

Suffered from Bright’s disease in 1882, debilitating, refused to run in 1884

Republicans slaughtered in the 1882 midterms; civil service reform bill passed soon after, along with tariff bill and rehabilitation of navy

Traveled out to recently tamed Yellowstone park in 1883

Blaine and Cleveland got 1884 nominations easily; GOP independents Mugwumps fled GOP to support straight-talking Cleveland

Gave speech at finally completed Washington memorial in December 1884

Last act as president with minutes to spare (they wound back congressional clock) was designating broke and dying Grant on army retired list

Died in November 1886 of cerebral hemorrhage

Fearful, disdainful of press and cherished privacy; hiding illness and lack of desire for position

Provided calm and reassurance after Garfield assassination; no public appetite for big moves