The True Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’ and the Assassination of James A. Garfield
Charles Guiteau’s bullet did not directly cause the death of the 20th president of the United States; instead, it was a combination of ignorance, pride, and flawed medical treatments that led to his demise. President James A. Garfield had only been in office for less than four months when he was shot by Guiteau, a disgruntled supporter.
More than 120 years later, the impact of that assassination continues to influence both politics and medicine. The new Netflix limited series Death By Lightning, which premiered on Thursday, November 6, delves into the tragedy surrounding Garfield’s death and its significance in U.S. history.
Netflix Series Overview
The four-part series stars Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Guiteau. It portrays the events leading up to the attack on President Garfield and depicts the misguided medical efforts to save him.
The Assassination and Medical Response
- Charles Guiteau, born in Freeport, Illinois in 1841, had a troubled childhood marked by the loss of his mother Jane, who suffered from psychosis and died when he was about 7 years old.
- After the shooting, doctors’ attempts to treat Garfield were erratic and ultimately harmful, contributing significantly to his death.
Context and Legacy
This series is part of Biography.com’s special coverage, offering an in-depth look at the assassination of President Garfield and shedding light on the historical and medical context of the event.
“Garfield was less than four months into his presidential term when tragedy struck in the form of an assassin’s bullet.”
“More than 120 years later, the ramifications of that shot—fired by a disgruntled supporter named Charles Guiteau—still loom heavily over politics and medicine.”
Guiteau’s upbringing, marked by abuse and loss, shaped the man behind the assassination, highlighting the complex human story intertwined with this pivotal moment in American history.
Author’s summary: The Netflix series Death By Lightning reveals how President Garfield’s assassination was as much about flawed medical care and personal tragedy as it was about the fatal gunshot.