American Presidents

A Site to Complement C-SPAN's 20th Anniversary Television Series, American Presidents: Life Portraits
March-December 1999
Chester A.Arthur
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to a letter from President Arthur

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Did You Know?

• He was known for his Civil Service reform.
• He dedicated the Washington Monument on February 21, 1885.
• He was known for his honesty and efficiency as president.
• He was nicknamed "Elegant Arthur" because of his "dandy" dressing.

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Key Events in the Administration


Chester A. Arthur
(October 5, 1829 - November 18, 1886)
Life Facts

Personal:
• First Lady: Mary Arthur McElory, Sister
• Wife's Maiden Name: Ellen "Nell" Lewis Herndon
• Number of Children: 2
• Education Level: College
• School Attended: Union College
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Profession: Military, Teacher, Principal, Lawyer
• Military Service: Quartermaster Gen.

Public Service:
• Dates of Presidency: 9/20/1881 - 3/3/1885
• Presidency Number: 21
• Number of Terms: 1
• Why Presidency Ended: Not nominated
• Party: Republican
• His Vice President(s): None
• Vice President For: James A. Garfield (1881-1881)
• Other Offices: Collector of the Port of New York

Footnotes  

Methodology and Resources

Presidential Places

Birthplace: Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site
Gravesite: Rural Cemetery

Reference Material

Bibliography
Inaugural Address
Related Links
C-SPAN in the Classroom
Watch American Presidents Programs from
C-SPAN's Archives

• LIVE from Union College - Schenectady, NY. Guests include: Thomas C. Reeves, Author: Gentleman Boss: The Life of Chester Alan Arthur; - Mark Will, 1999 Union College graduate; and Jim Underwood, Professor of Political Science, Union College Watch  | Order Videotape    
• Programming on Chester A. Arthur
 • Re-air of Live Program from Union College Watch
 • Senate Historian Don Ritchie on Arthur’s Political Career and the Senate from the time period Watch
 • The Papers of Chester Arthur with John Sellars of the Library of Congress Watch
   

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