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.
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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.”
Thanks for the very kind words, @benjaminepark.bsky.social!
Really enjoyed the new Netflix series on the Garfield assassination. And I really hope it leads more people to @btarrington.bsky.social’s wonderful work on the topic.
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Thanks for the very kind words, @benjaminepark.bsky.social!
For all you fans of the new @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” here’s the table of contents for my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.” It covers much of the ground the series explores.
It’s published by the University Press of Kansas.
It’s published by the University Press of Kansas.
November 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
For all you fans of the new @netflix.com series “Death by Lightning,” here’s the table of contents for my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880.” It covers much of the ground the series explores.
It’s published by the University Press of Kansas.
It’s published by the University Press of Kansas.
Any historians active on Tik Tok? I have avoided that platform, but I wonder if there’s a need for some incisive historians on there putting out good history content. My better half suggested this to me months ago but I didn’t really give it much thought.
Oh, and asking for a friend, of course.
Oh, and asking for a friend, of course.
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Any historians active on Tik Tok? I have avoided that platform, but I wonder if there’s a need for some incisive historians on there putting out good history content. My better half suggested this to me months ago but I didn’t really give it much thought.
Oh, and asking for a friend, of course.
Oh, and asking for a friend, of course.
“…there is not such freedom and toleration of political opinion and action that the minority party can exercise an effective and wholesome restraint upon the party in power. Without such restraint, party rule becomes tyrannical and corrupt.”
~James A. Garfield, 1880.
Image: Library of Congress.
~James A. Garfield, 1880.
Image: Library of Congress.
November 10, 2025 at 12:14 PM
“…there is not such freedom and toleration of political opinion and action that the minority party can exercise an effective and wholesome restraint upon the party in power. Without such restraint, party rule becomes tyrannical and corrupt.”
~James A. Garfield, 1880.
Image: Library of Congress.
~James A. Garfield, 1880.
Image: Library of Congress.
Well how about that? 500 followers! This means I’m a mere 999,500 away from my goal of having 1 million followers by the end of 2025. The key to success, folks, is setting realistic goals. Just like me.
So much winning.
So much winning.
November 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Well how about that? 500 followers! This means I’m a mere 999,500 away from my goal of having 1 million followers by the end of 2025. The key to success, folks, is setting realistic goals. Just like me.
So much winning.
So much winning.
I appreciate author Zachary Clary mentioning my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880” in this fine @smithsonianmag.bsky.social article giving some of the history behind the new @netflix series “Death by Lightning.”
If you enjoy the series, get yourself a copy!
If you enjoy the series, get yourself a copy!
The Real Story Behind Netflix's 'Death by Lightning' and the Shocking Assassination of President James A. Garfield
The new limited series dramatizes the brief tenure of the 20th commander in chief, who was fatally shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a lawyer who believed he'd secured Garfield's election
www.smithsonianmag.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I appreciate author Zachary Clary mentioning my book “The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 1880” in this fine @smithsonianmag.bsky.social article giving some of the history behind the new @netflix series “Death by Lightning.”
If you enjoy the series, get yourself a copy!
If you enjoy the series, get yourself a copy!
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.”
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
November 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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.”
Wonderful night last night at Hiram College to screen first episode of “Death by Lightning.” I was honored to be part of a panel discussion with “Destiny of the Republic” author @candicemillard.bsky.social, series creator Mike Makowsky, and Garfield great-great grandson Tim Garfield (last photo).
November 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Wonderful night last night at Hiram College to screen first episode of “Death by Lightning.” I was honored to be part of a panel discussion with “Destiny of the Republic” author @candicemillard.bsky.social, series creator Mike Makowsky, and Garfield great-great grandson Tim Garfield (last photo).
Getting excited for tomorrow night’s screening of episode 1 of “Death by Lightning” at Hiram College! Based on “Destiny of the Republic” by the insanely talented @candicemillard.bsky.social. Spoiler alert: James Garfield would have been an all-time great POTUS if he’d lived.
Image: @netflix.com
Image: @netflix.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Getting excited for tomorrow night’s screening of episode 1 of “Death by Lightning” at Hiram College! Based on “Destiny of the Republic” by the insanely talented @candicemillard.bsky.social. Spoiler alert: James Garfield would have been an all-time great POTUS if he’d lived.
Image: @netflix.com
Image: @netflix.com
Go and do likewise.
November 4, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Go and do likewise.
Fun fact: Today, Nov. 2, is the only date in history on which TWO presidents were born: James K. Polk (11/2/1795) and Warren G. Harding (11/2/1865).
Can we all agree that, based on these two, anyone born on any Nov. 2 should be barred from ever running for president? Better safe than sorry.
Can we all agree that, based on these two, anyone born on any Nov. 2 should be barred from ever running for president? Better safe than sorry.
November 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Fun fact: Today, Nov. 2, is the only date in history on which TWO presidents were born: James K. Polk (11/2/1795) and Warren G. Harding (11/2/1865).
Can we all agree that, based on these two, anyone born on any Nov. 2 should be barred from ever running for president? Better safe than sorry.
Can we all agree that, based on these two, anyone born on any Nov. 2 should be barred from ever running for president? Better safe than sorry.
Yesterday was a beautiful day for a walk at Lake Erie Bluffs Metropark in Perry, Ohio.
November 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Yesterday was a beautiful day for a walk at Lake Erie Bluffs Metropark in Perry, Ohio.
Peak adulting: realizing we set the clocks back an hour tonight and getting really excited about that extra hour of sleep.
And then invariably complaining “it gets dark too early now” by about Tuesday.
And then invariably complaining “it gets dark too early now” by about Tuesday.
November 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Peak adulting: realizing we set the clocks back an hour tonight and getting really excited about that extra hour of sleep.
And then invariably complaining “it gets dark too early now” by about Tuesday.
And then invariably complaining “it gets dark too early now” by about Tuesday.
Northeast Ohio: all your dreams are coming true. I’m back & looking forward to this event at Hiram College Wed. evening, Nov. 5!
“Death by Lightning” is based on “Destiny of the Republic” by the incomparable @candicemillard.bsky.social, who will be there, along w/ series creator Mike Makowsky!
“Death by Lightning” is based on “Destiny of the Republic” by the incomparable @candicemillard.bsky.social, who will be there, along w/ series creator Mike Makowsky!
Todd Arrington at Hiram College - University Press of Kansas
Todd Arrington at Hiram College
kansaspress.ku.edu
November 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Northeast Ohio: all your dreams are coming true. I’m back & looking forward to this event at Hiram College Wed. evening, Nov. 5!
“Death by Lightning” is based on “Destiny of the Republic” by the incomparable @candicemillard.bsky.social, who will be there, along w/ series creator Mike Makowsky!
“Death by Lightning” is based on “Destiny of the Republic” by the incomparable @candicemillard.bsky.social, who will be there, along w/ series creator Mike Makowsky!
It’s my last night in Abilene, KS. Five of my wonderful colleagues/friends from the Eisenhower Pres. Library came to pack me up today. I told them I hope the next Director is a real jerk so everyone misses me even more. Just kidding. Sort of.
If you’re heading east on I-70 tomorrow, honk & wave!
If you’re heading east on I-70 tomorrow, honk & wave!
October 29, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It’s my last night in Abilene, KS. Five of my wonderful colleagues/friends from the Eisenhower Pres. Library came to pack me up today. I told them I hope the next Director is a real jerk so everyone misses me even more. Just kidding. Sort of.
If you’re heading east on I-70 tomorrow, honk & wave!
If you’re heading east on I-70 tomorrow, honk & wave!
A month later, and a resident of Abilene, Kansas today thanked me “for not giving away our sword.”
I am rolling out of Abilene for the last time at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. I leave with both overwhelming sadness at how it ended but extreme pride at what our team accomplished in my short time here.
I am rolling out of Abilene for the last time at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. I leave with both overwhelming sadness at how it ended but extreme pride at what our team accomplished in my short time here.
October 28, 2025 at 1:22 AM
A month later, and a resident of Abilene, Kansas today thanked me “for not giving away our sword.”
I am rolling out of Abilene for the last time at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. I leave with both overwhelming sadness at how it ended but extreme pride at what our team accomplished in my short time here.
I am rolling out of Abilene for the last time at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. I leave with both overwhelming sadness at how it ended but extreme pride at what our team accomplished in my short time here.
Death by Lightning | Official Trailer | Netflix
YouTube video by Netflix
www.youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 8:48 PM
All the media attention around my situation has been…interesting. But seeing myself mentioned in one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s daily must-read “Letters from an American” columns this week makes me feel like I’ve really made it.
October 23, 2025 at 3:26 AM
All the media attention around my situation has been…interesting. But seeing myself mentioned in one of @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s daily must-read “Letters from an American” columns this week makes me feel like I’ve really made it.
“Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you are going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed.”
~Dwight D. Eisenhower
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
~Dwight D. Eisenhower
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
October 21, 2025 at 3:04 AM
“Don’t join the book burners. Don’t think you are going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed.”
~Dwight D. Eisenhower
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
~Dwight D. Eisenhower
Image: Eisenhower Presidential Library.
This was a fun one!
We had Dr. Todd Arrington on in 2020 to talk about a piece of this election. Highly recommend. One exciting thing about 1880 is the parties were laser close. Anybody's election.
Well, I suppose they would say whisker close back then.
Well, I suppose they would say whisker close back then.
October 18, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This was a fun one!
I do not deserve these people. But it’s been an absolute privilege to serve alongside them the past 13 months.
We had so many great plans. And we obviously thought we had a lot more time.
The real loser here is the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
We had so many great plans. And we obviously thought we had a lot more time.
The real loser here is the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
October 16, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I do not deserve these people. But it’s been an absolute privilege to serve alongside them the past 13 months.
We had so many great plans. And we obviously thought we had a lot more time.
The real loser here is the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
We had so many great plans. And we obviously thought we had a lot more time.
The real loser here is the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
If historians had walk-up music, this might very well be mine.
Needless to say, I’m Atlas in this scenario. But “Todd, Rise” doesn’t have the same ring to it.
What do you listen to in order to get hyped up before a big presentation/meeting/interview? Anything @metallica.com is my go-to.
Needless to say, I’m Atlas in this scenario. But “Todd, Rise” doesn’t have the same ring to it.
What do you listen to in order to get hyped up before a big presentation/meeting/interview? Anything @metallica.com is my go-to.
October 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
If historians had walk-up music, this might very well be mine.
Needless to say, I’m Atlas in this scenario. But “Todd, Rise” doesn’t have the same ring to it.
What do you listen to in order to get hyped up before a big presentation/meeting/interview? Anything @metallica.com is my go-to.
Needless to say, I’m Atlas in this scenario. But “Todd, Rise” doesn’t have the same ring to it.
What do you listen to in order to get hyped up before a big presentation/meeting/interview? Anything @metallica.com is my go-to.
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
This is the first article I’ve read about this mess that actually quotes someone from the State Department.
Spoiler alert: I was knowledgeable & friendly. No wonder they decided to fire me. That doesn’t sound like anyone we’d want in government service, does it?
This is the first article I’ve read about this mess that actually quotes someone from the State Department.
Spoiler alert: I was knowledgeable & friendly. No wonder they decided to fire me. That doesn’t sound like anyone we’d want in government service, does it?
Kansas officials mum on ousted museum director, sword: ‘Doubt President Trump knew’
“I knew nothing of it. I doubt President Trump knew anything about this story either.”
www.kansascity.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
This is the first article I’ve read about this mess that actually quotes someone from the State Department.
Spoiler alert: I was knowledgeable & friendly. No wonder they decided to fire me. That doesn’t sound like anyone we’d want in government service, does it?
This is the first article I’ve read about this mess that actually quotes someone from the State Department.
Spoiler alert: I was knowledgeable & friendly. No wonder they decided to fire me. That doesn’t sound like anyone we’d want in government service, does it?
This is beautiful.
October 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This is beautiful.
I grew up in Penn. and then lived for years near Cleveland. I want the Cleveland Browns to be good because I love the Steelers-Browns rivalry. I want these games to be meaningful.
Oh, and also, Browns & Steelers fans can agree on one thing: hating the Baltimore Ravens. They’re just the worst.
Oh, and also, Browns & Steelers fans can agree on one thing: hating the Baltimore Ravens. They’re just the worst.
October 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I grew up in Penn. and then lived for years near Cleveland. I want the Cleveland Browns to be good because I love the Steelers-Browns rivalry. I want these games to be meaningful.
Oh, and also, Browns & Steelers fans can agree on one thing: hating the Baltimore Ravens. They’re just the worst.
Oh, and also, Browns & Steelers fans can agree on one thing: hating the Baltimore Ravens. They’re just the worst.