Ida McKinley: The Turn-of-the-Century First Lady Through War, Assassination, and Secret Disability

Published in cooperation with The National First Ladies Library This is the first full-length biography of Ida Saxton McKinley (1847- 1907), the wife of William McKinley, president of the United States from 1897 to his assassination in 1901.Long demeaned by history because she suffered from epilepsy-which the society of her era mistakenly believed to border on mental illness-Ida McKinley was an exceptional woman who exerted a strong influence on her husband's political decisions. Born in Canton, Ohio, Ida Saxton was the eldest of three children.Throughout her youth, Ida was remarkably independent and energetic.She was interested in art, architecture, and current events, and she was sensitive to the plight of working women.In 1871 she married lawyer and Civil War veteran William McKinley.Following the deaths of their two daughters and her mother, Ida's physical condition deteriorated.During the years her husband served as a U.S. congressman and as Ohio governor, her health fluctuated. T