The True Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’ and the Assassination of James A. Garfield

The True Story Behind Netflix’s “Death by Lightning” and the Assassination of James A. Garfield

Charles Guiteau’s bullet did not directly end the life of the 20th U.S. president. Instead, a combination of medical ignorance, pride, and the era’s flawed healing tools sealed Garfield’s fate.

When tragedy struck less than four months into President Garfield’s term, the shot fired by a disgruntled political supporter, Charles Guiteau, would echo across more than a century of American history—shaping the intersection of politics and medicine.

The new Netflix limited series Death by Lightning, released on Thursday, November 6, revisits this pivotal moment. Across four episodes, it explores the assassination, the chaotic medical response, and how this event reshaped public confidence in both governance and healthcare.

The series, starring Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Guiteau, delves into the circumstances leading up to the attack and the failed attempts to save Garfield’s life through misguided treatments.

“Guiteau’s bullet didn’t kill the 20th president—it was ignorance, pride, and the tools meant to save his life.”

Charles Guiteau’s Early Life

Charles Julius Guiteau was born in 1841 in Freeport, Illinois. His childhood was marked by instability. His mother, Jane, suffered from severe psychosis and passed away when he was around seven years old, leaving him under the care of his stern and often abusive father, Luther Guiteau.

Historical and Cultural Impact

Garfield’s death continues to be studied for its influence on medical procedures and political accountability. The Netflix adaptation reimagines this legacy, drawing attention to how misunderstanding and arrogance in medicine contributed as much to the tragedy as the bullet itself.

Author’s Summary: A tragic mix of political ambition and medical error, Garfield’s death remains a turning point revealing the limits of 19th-century medicine and the cost of pride.

Biography — 2025-11-07