Who was the real Chester Arthur – and what was his relationship with James Garfield?

Who Was the Real Chester Arthur?

When US President James Garfield was shot in July 1881, few Americans believed his Vice President, Chester A. Arthur, could handle the crisis that followed. Arthur was known as a New York Republican party bureaucrat with a history in patronage and machine politics, which earned him little public trust.

Arthur's Unexpected Rise to the Presidency

After Garfield's death later that year, Arthur unexpectedly became the 21st President of the United States. Despite widespread distrust, he surprised the nation by stepping into the role with more capability than expected.

Arthur in Popular Culture

Arthur's story is a backdrop in Netflix’s 2025 drama Death by Lightning, which depicts the assassination of Garfield by frustrated political hopeful Charles Guiteau. The film casts Arthur as a reluctant figure thrust into high office, known as a Republican enforcer with a reputation for heavy drinking.

"When US President James Garfield was assassinated in 1881, his Vice President, Chester A. Arthur, assumed the presidency amid widespread distrust. But once viewed as a party insider tied to political corruption, Arthur surprised the nation."

>"In Death by Lightning, Chester Arthur is portrayed as a low man pushed into high office, a Republican enforcer famed for his carousing."

Arthur's evolution from a behind-the-scenes political figure to president showcases the complexities of his persona and legacy.

Summary: Chester A. Arthur, once distrusted due to his political ties, unexpectedly rose from a party enforcer to a respected president after Garfield's assassination, revealing a more nuanced historical figure than commonly assumed.

HistoryExtra — 2025-11-07