The Complete State of the Union Addresses of Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur (1829-1886) was an American politician who served as the twentyfirst President of the United States. Arthur was a member of the Republican Party and worked as a lawyer before becoming the twentieth vice president under James Garfield. While Garfield was mortally wounded by Charles Guiteau on July 2, 1881, he did not die until September 19, at which time Arthur was sworn in as president, serving until 1885. Before entering politics, Arthur was a member of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party and a political protg of Roscoe Conkling, rising to Collector of Customs for the Port of New York. He was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant but was fired by the succeeding Rutherford B. Hayes under suspicion of bribery and corruption.