James A. Garfield Monument

The James A. Garfield Monument stands in the traffic circle south-west of the US Capitol on Maryland Avenue. It honours the twentieth president, elected in 1880 and shot by Charles J. Guiteau just four months after taking office in 1881. Sculptor John Quincy Adams Ward modelled the bronze figure, while New York architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the pedestal. Commissioned by the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, the monument was dedicated in 1887. Garfield stands in classical declamatory pose, manuscript of his inaugural address in hand. Three allegorical figures at the base represent his careers as student, soldier and statesman. The monument is part of the Capitol Grounds Historic District and maintained by the Architect of the Capitol.