Complete Life of William McKinley

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Marshall Everett’s Complete Life of William McKinley was published only two or three months after President McKinley’s assassination in September 1901.  And it shows.

The editing is weak, the structure is haphazard, and much of the book consists of verbatim speeches and official reports issued by McKinley or those around him.  The book is a poor read.  It’s certainly not among the best biographies of America’s 25^th president.

Everett claims to be a friend of McKinley.  His prose is overly emotional, openly partisan, and often dismissive of those who opposed or disagreed with McKinley.  For example, when he describes the president’s legislation pushing protectionist tariffs, he writes:

The passage of the ‘McKinley Bill’ made the major [McKinley] the target for the vilest abuse from the free traders of the country, and from those whose mental range would never qualify them to judge of statecraft.

The awkward phrasing aside, the passage illustrates Everett’s lack of objectivity—a quality essential to a strong biography.

If there are saving graces to Complete Life of William McKinley, they might include Everett’s account of McKinley’s civil war heroics; McKinley’s summary report of the war with Spain in 1898; and, the photographs taken during the funeral processions and services.

Marshall Everett apparently built a career of publishing quick accounts of major tragedies and disasters.  In addition to the McKinley assassination, he also chronicled the sinking of the Titanic, a compilation of natural disasters, and several others.  But in his rush to be first, he sacrificed lasting quality.  Complete Life of William McKinley reflects that tradeoff:  timely in its moment, perhaps, but offering little long-term value.

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