James Garfield

And people considered themselves exemplary, moral -- exemplary, moral politicians such as James Garfield took the stock.

Ulysses S. Grant: Soldier & President 1997

He was a bright boy -- not a prodigy, by any means, but one of those strong, awkward, large-headed fellows, such as James Garfield had himself been.

From Canal Boy to President Or the Boyhood and Manhood of James A. Garfield Horatio Alger 1865

He was a bright boy ” not a prodigy, by any means, but one of those strong, awkward, large-headed fellows, such as James Garfield had himself been.

From Canal Boy to President Alger, Horatio, 1832-1899 1881

The first is historic: only one sitting House member James Garfield has ever been elected president.

Chris Weigant: Bachmann Rising, Palin Fading? Chris Weigant 2011

The first is historic: only one sitting House member James Garfield has ever been elected president.

Chris Weigant: Bachmann Rising, Palin Fading? Chris Weigant 2011

James Garfield, elected in 1880 and fatally wounded just months later, is the subject of Candace Millard's "Destiny of the Republic."

Fall Books: `Wimpy Kid,' `Heroes Of Olympus' Among Tops 2011

Two other young sitting presidents never got the chance to turn 50 in office: James Garfield and John Kennedy, both slain by assassins.

President Obama celebrates his 50th birthday today 2011

The first is historic: only one sitting House member James Garfield has ever been elected president.

Chris Weigant: Bachmann Rising, Palin Fading? Chris Weigant 2011

Two other young sitting presidents never got the chance to turn 50 in office: James Garfield and John Kennedy, both slain by assassins.

President Obama celebrates his 50th birthday today 2011

As Zachary Karabell notes in his concise but evocative biography, Arthur—a New York lawyer and Republican patronage politician—became the vice-presidential nominee in 1880 only to balance the ticket with James Garfield in a badly fractured convention.

One-Term Presidents John Steele Gordon 2011