Who Was Chester Arthur and His Relationship with James Garfield?
When President James Garfield was assassinated in 1881, his Vice President, Chester A. Arthur, took over the presidency amid widespread public distrust. Arthur, known as a New York Republican bureaucrat deeply involved in patronage and machine politics, was initially seen as a party insider linked to political corruption.
Few Americans believed Arthur could effectively handle the crisis following Garfield’s shooting in July 1881. However, when Garfield succumbed to his wounds later that year, Arthur unexpectedly rose to prominence as the 21st President of the United States, challenging public expectations.
Portrayal in Popular Culture
Arthur's story is featured in the 2025 Netflix drama Death by Lightning, which explores the assassination of Garfield by a disgruntled political hopeful, Charles Guiteau. In this film, Garfield is portrayed by Michael Shannon, Guiteau by Matthew Macfadyen, and Arthur by Nick Offerman.
"Chester Arthur is portrayed as something of a low man pushed into high office, a Republican enforcer famed for his carousing."
Summary
Chester Arthur transformed from a mistrusted party insider to a respected president, proving capable in the face of tragedy and political turmoil.
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