Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President William McKinley:
Personal Information on William McKinley:
- Twenty-fifth President (1897-1901)
- Birthday: January 29, 1843 (Sunday)
- Birthplace: Niles, Ohio
- Birthplace Website: President William McKinley’s Birthplace
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Date of Death: September 14, 1901 (Saturday)
- Place of Death: Buffalo, New York
- Place of Burial: McKinley National Memorial, Canton, Ohio
- Burial website: McKinley National Memorial, Canton, Ohio
- Cause of Death: Gangrene (gunshot wound)
- Age: 58 years old
- Length of Retirement: 0 days (died in office)
- Presidential Library: William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
Interesting William McKinley facts:
- In 1889, William McKinley ran for Speaker of the House and was defeated by Thomas B. Reed of Maine. He was then chosen to be the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee instead. James K. Polk is the only President who was also Speaker of the House.
- William McKinley was the last President to serve in the Civil War. He rose to the rank of brevet major during that conflict. He proudly loved being called Major. He loved being called Major even more than he did being called the President.
- William McKinley was the seventh youngest President to die. He was 58 years old when he died. The only Presidents to die younger than him were: John F. Kennedy (46 years old), James Garfield (49 years old), James K. Polk (53 years old), Abraham Lincoln (56 years old), Chester Arthur (57 years old), and Warren G. Harding (57 years old). Strangely, five of the these seven died in office (Kennedy, Garfield, Lincoln, Harding and McKinley).
My favorite William McKinley Quotes:
That’s all a man can hope for during his lifetime – to set an example – and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history.
In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest.
I do not prize the word “cheap.” It is not a badge of honor. It is a symbol of despair. Cheap prices make cheap goods; cheap goods make for cheap men; and cheap men make for a cheap country.
War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed.
We need Hawaii just as much and a good deal more than we did California. It is Manifest Destiny.
William McKinley blogs (click the title to go to that page):
William McKinley page on Presidential Crossroads (click “William McKinley” below):
William McKinley
William McKinley Blogs:
His wife Ida Saxton and their love story
Robert Todd Lincoln – Near three Presidential Assassinations
What similiar trait do I have with Presidents Garfield to Wilson
Personal thoughts on William McKinley:
Strengths:
Intelligent, Popular, Tried to work peace angle first, Flexible
Weaknesses:
Some believe he tended to follow public opinion rather than lead it
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 3.2
Comments:
At a time in our history when one of the hot topics was how to back our currency, William McKinley was a Gold Standard’s man. When a world wide effort was underway to unify a silver coinage, McKinley seemed to back the idea. When India refused to go along, McKinley rushed back to his Gold Standard mantel. When Spain would not let Cuba have its independence, Americans were very upset. The USS Maine was sent to Cuba, but it blew up in the harbor and sank. There were 266 men killed. McKinley tried real hard to get Spain to let Cuba have its independence, but when those efforts failed, Congress, for the third time in our history declared war. This time we declared war on Spain. Eventually our demands on Spain expanded to include the Philippines and Puerto Rico. The Teller Amendment was passed, which stated we had no desire to annex Cuba (that would come back to haunt us). We eventually acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Cuba was granted independence. I give McKinley average marks because I believe he looked out for American interest and he tried very hard to use peaceful means to make it work first. He did have the backbone not to back down on the core principles, though. Other Presidents have not always been so strong.
Favorite William McKinley book:
The President and the Assassin by Scott Miller
Favorite William McKinley story:
The whole story of his assassination is very sad, but it is also amazing to see how it all came together and how much it affected so many people.
Most memorable William McKinley memory:
I think winning the Ebay bidding war for the 1901 McKinley funeral sheet music was pretty exciting.
Favorite William McKinley possession (see picture at the top):
The 1901 William McKinley funeral sheet music I have framed and in my dining room.
