Leon Czolgosz
Leon Czolgosz | |
|---|---|
Czolgosz in 1899 | |
| Born | May 5, 1873 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 29, 1901 (aged 28) Auburn Prison, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | Fred C. Nieman |
| Occupation | Wireworker |
| Criminal status | Executed by electrocution |
| Motive | To advance anarchism |
| Conviction | First degree murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | William McKinley |
| Date | September 6, 1901 (died September 14, 1901) |
| Locations | Temple of Music on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Signature | |
Leon Frank Czolgosz (/ˈtʃɒlɡɒʃ/ CHOL-gosh; Polish: [ˈlɛɔn ˈt͡ʂɔwɡɔʂ]; May 5, 1873 – October 29, 1901) was an American wireworker and anarchist who assassinated United States president William McKinley in 1901. Czolgosz had lost his job during the economic Panic of 1893 and turned to anarchism—a radical, anti-authoritarian political philosophy. He regarded McKinley as a symbol of oppression and believed that it was his duty as an anarchist to assassinate him. Czolgosz shot McKinley in Buffalo, New York, on September 6, 1901, and was immediately arrested. McKinley died on September 14 after his wound became infected. A month later, Czolgosz was convicted of first degree murder and was sentenced to death. He was executed by the electric chair on October 29.