Mary Harrison McKee

Mary Scott McKee (née Harrison; April 3, 1858 – October 28, 1930) was the acting first lady of the United States for her father Benjamin Harrison. She lived in the White House for the duration of her father's presidency where she worked as an assistant to her mother, first lady Caroline Harrison. She became the acting first lady after her mother's death in October 1892 and remained in the role for the final months of her father's presidency. McKee's young son, known as Baby Harrison, was a popular national figure during the Harrison administration. She disassociated from her father following his marriage to her young maternal cousin Mary Dimmick.

Early life and marriage

Mary Harrison was born in Indianapolis and she was taught piano and painting by her mother.

Mary McKee gave birth to her son, Benjamin Harrison McKee, on March 15, 1887. for she gave birth to her daughter, Mary Lodge McKee, on July 4, 1888. The influx of residents created a crowded living space for the Harrison and McKee families. McKee was one of three women named Mary in the White House; she was known as "Mamie", while her sister-in-law Mary Harrison was called "May" and her cousin Mary Dimmick was called "Mame".

McKee assisted her mother in her hostess responsibilities and in handling letters that she received. Historian Carl Sferrazza Anthony described McKee's son as the most famous member of the president's family.

White House hostess

On some occasions, McKee had served as hostess on her mother's behalf, such as when Caroline was in mourning for the death of her sister or when she fell too ill to serve as first lady. As her mother's illness progressed, McKee took more responsibility for the position. The family was in mourning until the following January, and the White House New Year's reception was not held. Rather than hosting, McKee's tenure was spent tending to her griefstricken father. Social events were scheduled to resume on January 31, 1893, but they were further delayed so a funeral could be held after the death of secretary of state James G. Blaine. As the president had lost reelection in 1892, McKee's tenure as acting White House hostess lasted only four months before the return of popular first lady Frances Cleveland. Though McKee was generally well liked by Washington society, these circumstances caused her to be overlooked. By the time the White House reopened, only four weeks remained of the Harrison presidency. It is unknown whether McKee disliked Dimmick prior to the announcement or when she became aware of her father's romantic interest in Dimmick. She received an honorary doctorate of law from her father's alma mater, Miami University, in June 1930. Mary McKee died in Greenwich, Connecticut, on October 28, 1930. She had previously moved to Greenwich with her husband.