What Happened To Lucretia Garfield After James A. Garfield’s Assassination

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Warning: This article includes minor spoilers for Death by Lightning!

The Netflix documentary Death by Lightning highlights the unwavering devotion of Lucretia Garfield to her husband, James A. Garfield, and details her life after his tragic death. While four U.S. Presidents have been assassinated, the story of James A. Garfield is often overlooked. This compelling drama brings his election and assassination to light.

I always appreciate when shows based on real events tell you what happened to the people they portrayed, and this one does just that. After the story ends, it gives updates on the lives of everyone involved – Chester Arthur, James Blaine, Roscoe Conkling, and even poor Mollie Garfield. It really filled in the gaps and answered a lot of questions I had, which I found incredibly satisfying.

The series barely mentions Lucretia Garfield, simply stating she lived for 37 years after her husband’s death. This tells us nothing about her life beyond that fact. If you’re curious to learn more, here are some fascinating details about Lucretia Garfield’s life following the assassination of President Garfield.

Lucretia Garfield Preserved Her Husband’s Writings & Opened The First Presidential Library

I was reading about Lucretia Garfield, and it’s amazing how she dedicated herself to her kids and making sure everyone remembered her husband, President Garfield, after he passed away. She wasn’t just passively letting others handle his legacy, either – she actively got involved in planning memorials to him, even offering her input on the designs. It really shows how much she cared and wanted to honor his life.

Her most significant achievement in honoring her husband’s legacy was organizing all of his letters and official papers. She originally started this project to write her own memories, but later decided to create the very first presidential library by building an addition onto their Ohio farm.

Lucretia commissioned architects Forrest A. Coburn and Frank Seymour Barnum to create the James A. Garfield Library. The library holds a beautiful stone mosaic depicting President Garfield and a secure vault for his papers (according to the National Park Service). The original farmhouse and the homes where the Garfield children lived are now recognized as a historic site.

Lucretia Garfield Volunteered At The Pasadena Red Cross During World War I

Lucretia Garfield later settled in South Pasadena, California. She was particularly fascinated by architecture, and in 1904, she commissioned architects Charles and Henry Greene to design and build a bungalow for her in the American Arts and Crafts style.

During her time in Pasadena, she actively participated in local events, giving talks and joining a book club. She also continued to follow politics, backing Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson during their presidential campaigns, even after finishing her book, Death by Lightning.

When World War I began in 1914, Lucretia Garfield was instrumental in starting the Red Cross chapter in Pasadena, according to the South Pasadena News. She dedicated her time to volunteering, specifically helping to prepare bandages for soldiers.

Lucretia Garfield Died On March 13, 1918, From Pneumonia

As the book Death by Lightning concludes, Lucretia Garfield, the former First Lady, lived a long life and passed away 37 years after her husband. She died of pneumonia at her home in South Pasadena on March 13, 1918.

The National Park Service reported that she died with her daughter at her side. Her family then returned her body to Cleveland, Ohio, for burial near her husband.

Lucretia Garfield was a devoted wife and mother who also actively contributed to her community through charitable work and civic engagement. She left behind a large family, including five children, sixteen grandchildren, and forty-five great-grandchildren.

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2025-11-07 19:38