William McKinley (January 29, 1843 ??September 14, 1901) was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 25th President of the United States 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?merican War, raised protective tariffs to promote American industry, and maintained the nation on the gold standard in a rejection of inflationary proposals.