who was the 20th president

The 20th president of the United States was James Abram Garfield.

Quick Scoop

James A. Garfield served as the 20th U.S. president in 1881, but his time in office was tragically short because he was assassinated the same year. He had previously served nine terms in the House of Representatives and is the only sitting member of the House ever elected directly to the presidency.

Garfield was born on November 19, 1831, near Orange, Ohio, and rose from very humble beginnings, including work as a teacher, preacher, and Civil War general. His presidency focused on civil service reform and tackling political corruption, but he was shot in July 1881 and died on September 19, 1881, giving him one of the shortest presidencies in U.S. history.

Key facts

• Full name: James Abram Garfield.

• Numbered office: 20th president of the United States.

• Term: March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881.

• Party: Republican Party.

• Vice president: Chester A. Arthur, who became the 21st president after Garfield’s death.

Garfield’s presidency is often remembered less for its policies and more for how abruptly it ended, which sparked national debate about presidential succession and medical care for leaders.

TL;DR: The answer to “who was the 20th president” is James A. Garfield, a Republican president who served only a few months in 1881 before his assassination.