Discover the tragic story of James Garfield, the 20th U.S. President, who was shot by an assassin but ultimately succumbed to fatal medical malpractice. A new Netflix series, 'Death By Lightning,' aims to shed light on his remarkable life, progressive vision, and agonizing 79-day death, reviving interest in one of America's most forgotten 'what-ifs'.
The descendants of James Garfield, the 20th U.S. President, rarely spoke of his death until Candice Millard's 2011 book, 'Destiny of the Republic,' and now a Netflix drama, 'Death By Lightning,' starring Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen. The series aims to illuminate Garfield's extraordinary life, his rise from poverty to the presidency, and his tragic, premature end. Garfield was a brilliant, progressive 'Renaissance man' – a lawyer, preacher, college president, and major general – who championed civil rights for African Americans and universal education, making his loss a significant 'what if' for post-Reconstruction America. He reluctantly became president after a deadlocked Republican convention, making him uniquely unburdened by political debts. His short 200-day tenure was marked by a landmark victory against Senator Roscoe Conkling and the 'spoils system.' However, he was stalked by Charles Guiteau, a mentally ill drifter driven by delusion and a perceived slight from the patronage system. Guiteau shot Garfield twice on July 2, 1881. Crucially, the wound was not mortal, but Dr. Doctor Willard Bliss, in charge of Garfield's care, repeatedly probed the wound with unsterilized fingers and instruments, introducing massive infection. For 79 agonizing days, Garfield suffered from sepsis and blood poisoning, losing significant weight before finally succumbing. Historians agree he would likely have survived without the medical malpractice. Guiteau was convicted and hanged, while Garfield's Vice President, Chester Arthur, unexpectedly championed reform, signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, a direct legacy of Garfield's struggle. The article highlights how Garfield's assassination remains largely forgotten compared to Lincoln's and Kennedy's, and expresses hope that 'Death By Lightning' will inspire renewed interest in this 'great tragic what-could-have-been' president.
