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Words: Suggestive Passages from the Public and Private Writings of James A. Garfield

James A. Garfield · 1881

A compilation of Garfield's own public and private writings, gathered in 1881.

A collection of Garfield's own public and private writings, compiled in 1881.

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Words: Suggestive Passages from the Public and Private Writings of James A. GarfieldPDF · 202 pages
James A. Garfield, Words: Suggestive Passages from the Public and Private Writings of James A. Garfield, compiled by William Ralston Balch, 1881.

About this source

What it is

This book is a collection of passages drawn from James A. Garfield's own speeches, letters and other writings, compiled by William Ralston Balch and published in 1881.

Why it matters

Because it draws directly on Garfield's own words, this compilation offers insight into his thinking on many subjects over his career, rather than someone else's interpretation of him. The dedication, describing Garfield's "martyrdom," shows how quickly his death shaped how his words were presented to the public.

  • Why might a compiler choose certain passages from a person's writing and leave others out?
  • How does the framing of the book, dedicated to those affected by his "martyrdom," shape how readers might view the passages?
  • What topics seem important to Garfield based on this compilation?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James A. Garfield on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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