 Garfield was shot by Charles J. Guiteau , a disgruntled office seeker , at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington , D.C. on July 2 , 1881 . After eleven weeks of intensive and other care Garfield died in Elberon , New Jersey , the second of four Presidents to be assassinated , following Abraham Lincoln . Guiteau had followed various professions in his life , but in 1880 had determined to gain federal office by supporting what he expected to be the winning Republican ticket . He composed a speech , " Garfield vs. Hancock " , and got it printed by the Republican National Committee . One means of persuading the voter in that era was through orators expounding on the candidate 's merits , but with the Republicans seeking more famous men , Guiteau received few opportunities to speak . On one occasion , according to Kenneth D. Ackerman in his book about Garfield 's candidacy and assassination , Guiteau was unable to finish his speech due to nerves . Guiteau , who considered himself a Stalwart , deemed his contribution to Garfield 's victory sufficient to justify the position of consul in Paris , despite the fact he spoke no French , nor any foreign language . 
