Which 19th century American president engaged in civil service and postal system reform, promoted universal public education for all races, and saved the nation millions of dollars in national debt by single-handedly reconfiguring the funding and interest rate calculation of government bonds?
Explanation
Answer: D - James A. Garfield argued for reform in government appointments, promoted universal public education, and deftly addressed economic issues in only four active months as president. Garfield was a brilliant mathematician and economist, in addition to Civil War veteran, government reformer, and civil rights advocate. He contributed a trapezoid-based proof for the Pythagorean theorem to the field of mathematics four years before his election to the presidency. He was inaugurated in March 1881, only to be shot by a disgruntled federal office seeker in July. He languished for 80 days before succumbing to his injuries. Many contemporary historians have heralded Garfield’s natural abilities and his presidential acts, arguing that had he lived, he might have been one of the nation’s greatest presidents.
