Who Was the Real James Garfield, “The Man from Ohio” and Doomed President of Death by Lightning?
James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, is often remembered more for his tragic end than for his presidential potential. Many believed he could have become one of the country’s truly transformative leaders, yet his time in office was cut short by assassination less than a year after taking office.
His story, now revisited in a new Netflix drama exploring his fatal convergence with his killer, offers a reason to remember him anew. Garfield’s legacy has long been overshadowed by the brevity of his service and the infamy of his death.
A Forgotten President
In the timeline of American presidents, Garfield is often overlooked. He rose to prominence unexpectedly as a compromise candidate in the 1880 election and served only 200 days before his death. Despite this, his intellect, moral conviction, and vision for progress made him stand out.
He is best known as one of four U.S. presidents to be assassinated, along with Abraham Lincoln (1865), William McKinley (1901), and John F. Kennedy (1963).
The “What If” of American Politics
Though not ranked among the great presidents, Garfield symbolizes what might have been. He was a perceptive thinker and an honest leader who fought against corruption and pushed for the modernization of government. His calm authority and deep sense of duty suggested a presidency that, had it endured, might have shaped the nation’s future differently.
Author’s Summary: James Garfield’s brief presidency left behind the haunting image of a reformer whose unrealized promise continues to intrigue historians and audiences alike.