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The Education of Henry Adams · Character

William McKinley

25th U.S. President, met in later years.

minor

Also known as Suddenly Mr. McKinley, Mr. McKinley, McKinley, President McKinley

First appearance: xxvi twilight 1901

William McKinley shows up with force in Silence (1894–1898). The page is where that presence becomes real.

President McKinley's appointment of John Sherman as Secretary of State is criticized as a jobbery that betrays an old friend and the State Department.
In the storySilence (1894–1898)Open this moment free

William McKinley first appears in 0028 xxvi twilight 1901.

In Silence (1894–1898): President McKinley's appointment of John Sherman as Secretary of State is criticized as a jobbery that betrays an old friend and the State Department.

Later, in XXIV: Indian Summer (1898–1899): President who appoints Hay to office and manages a 'pooling of interests' approach to government; Adams views him as a skilled manager.

See William McKinley in Silence (1894–1898)Book page

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Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how William McKinley sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

JHJohn HayHAHenry AdamsUSUlysses S. GrantCKClarence KingWIWilhelm IIWMWilliam McKinley

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Diverse Acquaintances and Historical References
  • Political and Diplomatic Figures
  • Protagonist
  • Later Political Acquaintances

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because Henry Adams reaches an emotional and psychological peak of overwhe…

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In the story

William McKinley appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See William McKinley in xxvi twilight 1901
See William McKinley in Silence (1894–1898)