Did President Garfield write with both hands...and in different languages? Simultaneously? Was this more of a pub-trick or a practical application?

by netpoints
davratta

James Garfield was the first ambidexterous president of the United States. He could amuse his friends by writing an answer to their questions in Greek and Latin, simultaneously. It wasn't a pub trick, because Garfield was an ordained Protestant minister and never drank alcohol. It was more of a parlor trick than a pub trick. It had no practical application, but it is mentioned in the book "Crete & James: The Personal Letters of Lucretia & James Garfield" by John Shaw.