I.

Introduction

Chester Arthur (1829-1886), 21st president of the United States (1881-1885), who gained the presidency when President James A. Garfield (1881) was assassinated. Arthur rose above loyalty to his political party to enact the first comprehensive U.S. civil service legislation. The act signaled a new era of reform in national politics, but lost Arthur the support of his party, and after completing Garfield's term he was forced to retire from public life.