Dr. Todd Arrington
@btarrington.bsky.social
Former Eisenhower Presidential Library Director & James A. Garfield NHS Site Manager. Historian. Writer. Army veteran. History Ph.D. Until recently, a career civil servant. Currently unemployed (not by choice). #ParkChat Hall of Famer.
Pinned
The Last Lincoln Republican
Of all the great “what if” scenarios in American history, the aftermath of the presidential election of 1880 stands out as one of the most tantal...
kansaspress.ku.edu
If you enjoy “Death by Lightning” on @Netflix.com, you should read @candicemillard.bsky.social’s “Destiny of the Republic,” C.W. Goodyear’s “President Garfield,” Kenneth Ackerman’s “Dark Horse,” and, if I may be so bold…my own “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.”
A MAGA we can all get behind.
M ake
A merica
G arfield
A gain
Image: Library of Congress.
M ake
A merica
G arfield
A gain
Image: Library of Congress.
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM
A MAGA we can all get behind.
M ake
A merica
G arfield
A gain
Image: Library of Congress.
M ake
A merica
G arfield
A gain
Image: Library of Congress.
“The people—the people—are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts—not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.”
~Abraham Lincoln, speech in Kansas, Dec. 1859.
Image: Library of Congress.
~Abraham Lincoln, speech in Kansas, Dec. 1859.
Image: Library of Congress.
November 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
“The people—the people—are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts—not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.”
~Abraham Lincoln, speech in Kansas, Dec. 1859.
Image: Library of Congress.
~Abraham Lincoln, speech in Kansas, Dec. 1859.
Image: Library of Congress.
My friends and former colleagues at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum get all the credit for this one. I don’t think they’ll mind if I share it.
If you’re so inclined and happen to be on any of these platforms, please follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.
If you’re so inclined and happen to be on any of these platforms, please follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
My friends and former colleagues at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum get all the credit for this one. I don’t think they’ll mind if I share it.
If you’re so inclined and happen to be on any of these platforms, please follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.
If you’re so inclined and happen to be on any of these platforms, please follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.
Was Zachary Taylor the first assassinated president?
Taylor, 12th POTUS, was born on this day 241 years ago: Nov. 24, 1784.
Taylor died in office on Jul. 9, 1850. Here's an article I wrote about the theory he'd actually been poisoned, which led to his body's exhumation for arsenic testing in 1991.
Taylor, 12th POTUS, was born on this day 241 years ago: Nov. 24, 1784.
Taylor died in office on Jul. 9, 1850. Here's an article I wrote about the theory he'd actually been poisoned, which led to his body's exhumation for arsenic testing in 1991.
Exhuming President Taylor
President Zachary Taylor died on July 9, 1850, five days after becoming ill at a Fourth of July celebration. He apparently overindulged on raw cherries and iced milk; his doctors cited the cause of…
werehistory.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Was Zachary Taylor the first assassinated president?
Taylor, 12th POTUS, was born on this day 241 years ago: Nov. 24, 1784.
Taylor died in office on Jul. 9, 1850. Here's an article I wrote about the theory he'd actually been poisoned, which led to his body's exhumation for arsenic testing in 1991.
Taylor, 12th POTUS, was born on this day 241 years ago: Nov. 24, 1784.
Taylor died in office on Jul. 9, 1850. Here's an article I wrote about the theory he'd actually been poisoned, which led to his body's exhumation for arsenic testing in 1991.
Beautiful Lake Erie sunset this evening.
This picture would’ve been much better if I’d gotten there about 15 minutes earlier.
This picture would’ve been much better if I’d gotten there about 15 minutes earlier.
November 24, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Beautiful Lake Erie sunset this evening.
This picture would’ve been much better if I’d gotten there about 15 minutes earlier.
This picture would’ve been much better if I’d gotten there about 15 minutes earlier.
“Death by Lightning” fans: please enjoy my interpretation of the fight for the 1880 Republican presidential nomination in convenient meme form.
November 23, 2025 at 8:18 PM
“Death by Lightning” fans: please enjoy my interpretation of the fight for the 1880 Republican presidential nomination in convenient meme form.
“It would at least be decent to wait until the grass is green on the graves of our murdered patriots.”
~Congressman James A. Garfield, 8/5/1865, on the prospect of former Confederates being seated as members of Congress.
Image: Architect of the Capitol. www.aoc.gov/explore-capi....
~Congressman James A. Garfield, 8/5/1865, on the prospect of former Confederates being seated as members of Congress.
Image: Architect of the Capitol. www.aoc.gov/explore-capi....
November 23, 2025 at 1:23 PM
“It would at least be decent to wait until the grass is green on the graves of our murdered patriots.”
~Congressman James A. Garfield, 8/5/1865, on the prospect of former Confederates being seated as members of Congress.
Image: Architect of the Capitol. www.aoc.gov/explore-capi....
~Congressman James A. Garfield, 8/5/1865, on the prospect of former Confederates being seated as members of Congress.
Image: Architect of the Capitol. www.aoc.gov/explore-capi....
Hey everyone, I’m really worried about one of our dogs. She just can’t seem to relax.
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Hey everyone, I’m really worried about one of our dogs. She just can’t seem to relax.
Today is the 62nd anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination.
Here’s an interview I did several years ago with Alexandra Zapruder, granddaughter of Abraham Zapruder—the Dallas businessman who inadvertently filmed the assassination.
Her book “Twenty-Six Seconds” is excellent.
Here’s an interview I did several years ago with Alexandra Zapruder, granddaughter of Abraham Zapruder—the Dallas businessman who inadvertently filmed the assassination.
Her book “Twenty-Six Seconds” is excellent.
Twenty-Six Seconds: An Interview with Alexandra Zapruder
“I came to understand that our family’s experiences shaped the life of the film and vice versa.”
werehistory.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Today is the 62nd anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination.
Here’s an interview I did several years ago with Alexandra Zapruder, granddaughter of Abraham Zapruder—the Dallas businessman who inadvertently filmed the assassination.
Her book “Twenty-Six Seconds” is excellent.
Here’s an interview I did several years ago with Alexandra Zapruder, granddaughter of Abraham Zapruder—the Dallas businessman who inadvertently filmed the assassination.
Her book “Twenty-Six Seconds” is excellent.
Okay, for all you “Death by Lightning” fans… Here’s Part II of a two-parter I wrote years ago on President Garfield’s assassination. I posted Part I earlier today.
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
The Assassination of President Garfield, Part II
Partisanship, Insanity, and Murder
werehistory.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Okay, for all you “Death by Lightning” fans… Here’s Part II of a two-parter I wrote years ago on President Garfield’s assassination. I posted Part I earlier today.
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
These were done in conjunction with the 2016 airing of the @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Murder of a President.”
Calling all “Death by Lightning” fans…Here’s Part I of a two-parter about President James A. Garfield’s assassination.
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
The Assassination of President Garfield, Part I
Partisanship, Insanity, and Murder
werehistory.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Calling all “Death by Lightning” fans…Here’s Part I of a two-parter about President James A. Garfield’s assassination.
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
I wrote this in early 2016 to coincide with release of the excellent @pbs.org American Experience documentary “Death of a President” (in which I also appeared as a “talking head”).
My favorite t-shirt. And my favorite fact.
I got it from the online store of the National World War I Museum if you’re interested in getting one of your own.
shop.theworldwar.org
I got it from the online store of the National World War I Museum if you’re interested in getting one of your own.
shop.theworldwar.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 AM
My favorite t-shirt. And my favorite fact.
I got it from the online store of the National World War I Museum if you’re interested in getting one of your own.
shop.theworldwar.org
I got it from the online store of the National World War I Museum if you’re interested in getting one of your own.
shop.theworldwar.org
The Lake Erie shoreline near my neighborhood this afternoon.
November 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The Lake Erie shoreline near my neighborhood this afternoon.
Since James Garfield is getting a lot of attention these day thanks to “Death by Lightning” on @netflix.com, I’m sharing some older pieces I wrote about him and others of his era.
If you’re wondering why I called my book on the 1880 election “The Last Lincoln Republican,” this one’s for you.
If you’re wondering why I called my book on the 1880 election “The Last Lincoln Republican,” this one’s for you.
Civil Rights in James Garfield’s Era
Garfield Remained Dedicated To African Americans Rights
werehistory.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Since James Garfield is getting a lot of attention these day thanks to “Death by Lightning” on @netflix.com, I’m sharing some older pieces I wrote about him and others of his era.
If you’re wondering why I called my book on the 1880 election “The Last Lincoln Republican,” this one’s for you.
If you’re wondering why I called my book on the 1880 election “The Last Lincoln Republican,” this one’s for you.
Today is both James Garfield’s birthday AND Gettysburg Address anniversary.
This 11/13/1863 letter from Maj. Gen. Garfield to OH Gov. David Tod is Garfield’s negative RSVP to Tod’s invitation to attend Gettysburg Nat’l Cemetery dedication…at which Lincoln delivered Gettysburg Address.
Image: LOC.
This 11/13/1863 letter from Maj. Gen. Garfield to OH Gov. David Tod is Garfield’s negative RSVP to Tod’s invitation to attend Gettysburg Nat’l Cemetery dedication…at which Lincoln delivered Gettysburg Address.
Image: LOC.
November 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Today is both James Garfield’s birthday AND Gettysburg Address anniversary.
This 11/13/1863 letter from Maj. Gen. Garfield to OH Gov. David Tod is Garfield’s negative RSVP to Tod’s invitation to attend Gettysburg Nat’l Cemetery dedication…at which Lincoln delivered Gettysburg Address.
Image: LOC.
This 11/13/1863 letter from Maj. Gen. Garfield to OH Gov. David Tod is Garfield’s negative RSVP to Tod’s invitation to attend Gettysburg Nat’l Cemetery dedication…at which Lincoln delivered Gettysburg Address.
Image: LOC.
President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on this day 162 years ago: Nov. 19, 1863.
Here’s a link to a great video by @hcrichardson.bsky.social that explains what Lincoln said and what it meant for America.
Here’s a link to a great video by @hcrichardson.bsky.social that explains what Lincoln said and what it meant for America.
The Gettysburg Address | Journey to American Democracy
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 4:47 PM
President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on this day 162 years ago: Nov. 19, 1863.
Here’s a link to a great video by @hcrichardson.bsky.social that explains what Lincoln said and what it meant for America.
Here’s a link to a great video by @hcrichardson.bsky.social that explains what Lincoln said and what it meant for America.
James A. Garfield, 20th POTUS, was born in Ohio on this day 194 years ago: Nov. 19, 1831.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
November 19, 2025 at 12:08 PM
James A. Garfield, 20th POTUS, was born in Ohio on this day 194 years ago: Nov. 19, 1831.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
He’s enjoying a well-deserved resurgence right now with the @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” based on @candicemillard.bsky.social’s bestseller “Destiny of the Republic.”
Image: Library of Congress.
From 2021: one of my favorite reviews of my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.”
Belated thanks to Civil War Monitor magazine and review author Dr. Brian Matthew Jordan!
Belated thanks to Civil War Monitor magazine and review author Dr. Brian Matthew Jordan!
The Last Lincoln Republican (2020)
A detailed review of Benjamin T. Arrington's "The Last Lincoln Republican," a study of James Garfield’s dark-horse race for the White House.
www.civilwarmonitor.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
From 2021: one of my favorite reviews of my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.”
Belated thanks to Civil War Monitor magazine and review author Dr. Brian Matthew Jordan!
Belated thanks to Civil War Monitor magazine and review author Dr. Brian Matthew Jordan!
Am I proud of myself for coming up with a snarky name for my one massive 99-hour Spotify playlist?
Yes. Yes I am.
Yes. Yes I am.
November 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Am I proud of myself for coming up with a snarky name for my one massive 99-hour Spotify playlist?
Yes. Yes I am.
Yes. Yes I am.
“The peace we seek and need means much more than mere absence of war. It means the acceptance of law, and the fostering of justice, in all the world.”
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Oct. 31, 1956.
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Oct. 31, 1956.
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
November 18, 2025 at 12:24 PM
“The peace we seek and need means much more than mere absence of war. It means the acceptance of law, and the fostering of justice, in all the world.”
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Oct. 31, 1956.
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
~President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Oct. 31, 1956.
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
November 18, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Three job interviews this week!
a woman says fingers crossed and toes too in a gif
ALT: a woman says fingers crossed and toes too in a gif
media.tenor.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Three job interviews this week!
Here’s me yesterday on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study Marry Kill” Substack Live. We’re talking about my years as James A. Garfield Nat’l Historic Site’s Tweetmaster General and the time I offered Taylor Swift $250 & a coffee mug to play one of our summer concerts. Shockingly, she never responded.
November 17, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Here’s me yesterday on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study Marry Kill” Substack Live. We’re talking about my years as James A. Garfield Nat’l Historic Site’s Tweetmaster General and the time I offered Taylor Swift $250 & a coffee mug to play one of our summer concerts. Shockingly, she never responded.
I had a great time this morning on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study Marry Kill” Substack Live! We talked a lot about the new @netflix.com James A. Garfield series “Death by Lightning.” Here’s a clip. More to follow the next day or two.
Thanks to Alexis for having me on!
Thanks to Alexis for having me on!
November 17, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I had a great time this morning on @alexiscoe.bsky.social’s “Study Marry Kill” Substack Live! We talked a lot about the new @netflix.com James A. Garfield series “Death by Lightning.” Here’s a clip. More to follow the next day or two.
Thanks to Alexis for having me on!
Thanks to Alexis for having me on!