Chester A. Arthur

Biography

Chester A. Arthur rose from the legal profession of New York to become the twenty-first president of the United States, assuming the mantle of leadership after the assassination of James A. Garfield. He proved a steady hand, tempering partisan strife with a respect for the Constitution, overseeing the modernization of the Navy and championing the merit-based civil service reforms that would outlast his time in office.

Arthur remained a dignified figure when he returned to private life, and his devotion to civic duty kept him connected to Albany, where he is laid to rest in the rural cemetery that honors the region's statesmen. His brief presidency is remembered for restoring stability and for a gentle dignity that suited his quiet demeanor.