William McKinley

US President

1843 – 1901

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Who was William McKinley?

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1897, until his assassination in September 1901, six months into his second term. McKinley led the nation to victory in the Spanish–American War, raised protective tariffs to promote American industry, and maintained the nation on the gold standard in a rejection of inflationary proposals.

McKinley was the last President to have served in the American Civil War, beginning as a private in the Union Army and ending as a brevet major. After the war, he settled in Canton, Ohio, where he practiced law and married Ida Saxton. In 1876, he was elected to Congress, where he became the Republican Party’s expert on the protective tariff, which he promised would bring prosperity. His 1890 McKinley Tariff was highly controversial; which together with a Democratic redistricting aimed at gerrymandering him out of office, led to his defeat in the Democratic landslide of 1890. He was elected Ohio’s governor in 1891 and 1893, steering a moderate course between capital and labor interests.

Famous Quotes:

  • War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed.
  • Strong hearts and helpful hands are needed, and, fortunately, we have them in every part of our beloved country.
  • The American people, intrenched in freedom at home, take their love for it with them wherever they go...
  • Honesty, capacity, and industry are nowhere more indispensable than in public employment.

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Born
Jan 29, 1843
Niles
Also known as
  • William McKinley, Jr.
  • Prosperity's Advance Agent
  • The Napoleon of Protection
  • The Idol of Ohio
  • The Stocking-foot Orator
  • Wobbly Willie
  • William "Bill" McKinley
Parents
Siblings
Spouses
Children
Religion
  • Methodism
Ethnicity
  • Scottish American
  • Scotch-Irish American
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Education
  • Albany Law School
  • Allegheny College
    (1860 - 1861)
  • Poland Academy
  • Poland Seminary High School
Employment
  • President, Federal government of the United States
    (1897/03/04 - 1901/09/14)
Lived in
  • Canton
  • Niles
Died
Sep 14, 1901
Buffalo
Resting place
William McKinley Tomb

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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"William McKinley." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/william_mckinley>.

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