James Garfield was a college president at age 25

Early on in life, James Garfield showed a passion for studying that served him well. Garfield was inspired to pursue a college education after learning that some New Englanders paid their way through school. He looked for a school that could help him prepare for the entrance exams. He studied at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (formerly known as Hiram College) in Hiram, Ohio, from 1851 to 1854. While there, he preferred to study Greek and Latin but was open to learning and discussing anything new he came across. He got a job right away as a janitor and while he was still a student got a job as a teacher.

Garfield next enrolled in Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts as a third-year student. After passing a brief test, he was given credit for two years of study at the Institute. Garfield joined Eclectic Institute as a professor of ancient languages and literature in 1856 after earning his degree with honors.

The diploma from a famous Eastern university made Garfield a man of distinction upon his return to Ohio. Even though he did not believe that the area of education would allow him to reach his full potential, he returned to Hiram to teach at the Institute and was appointed to be college president in 1857 at the age of 25. This is one of the most interesting facts about James Garfield.