Who Was the Real Chester Arthur – and What Was His Relationship with James Garfield?
When President James Garfield was shot in July 1881, few believed that his vice president, Chester A. Arthur, could manage the national crisis that followed. Arthur, a New York Republican known for his ties to machine politics and patronage, faced deep public distrust.
After Garfield died from his wounds later that year, Arthur unexpectedly found himself leading the nation as the 21st President of the United States. Once seen merely as a loyal party insider, he surprised many by governing with greater integrity and independence than anticipated.
Arthur’s Portrayal in Popular Culture
The story of Arthur’s ascent returns to public attention in Netflix’s 2025 drama Death by Lightning. The series dramatizes Garfield’s assassination by the disillusioned political seeker Charles Guiteau, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen.
Actor Nick Offerman plays Chester Arthur, depicting him as a man thrust into power—initially underestimated but shaped by the immense pressure of circumstance. Michael Shannon portrays President Garfield in the same production.
“Arthur’s story simmers in the background of Netflix’s 2025 drama Death by Lightning, the story of the assassination of Garfield … by Charles Guiteau.”
Legacy of a Reluctant Leader
Chester Arthur’s presidency began in doubt but evolved into an example of how unexpected leaders can rise to the moment. His transformation from political insider to reformer remains one of the quieter surprises in American political history.
Author’s Summary: A distrusted party loyalist, Chester Arthur unexpectedly earned respect as president after Garfield’s assassination—his legacy now revisited through a modern dramatic lens.