Chester Alan Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur (1829-1886), a New York Republican, was the twenty-first president (1881-85) of the United States of America. He was a lawyer by profession, and a prominent member of the Republican party. When James Garfield became US president, he became his vice president in March 1881, and succeeded to the presidency upon the assassination of Garfield six months later. His tenure is known for enactment of Civil Service reforms and improvement in the strength of the US Navy, for which he was responsible.