why were millionaires and political bosses more well known than our presidents from johnson to mckinley?

Answer 1

Hmmm.. I think that this question may not be what it seems. Just as it is, the premise is faulty for many reasons. People who do public things: presidents, movie stars, sports stars, outgoing rich people, etc. have always been well known. The public is fascinated by their "wow, your life is so different than mine!" However, political bosses and millionaires, as a rule, are actually not more "well known" than presidents, and never will be, because of the nature of their desire: power. The real bosses and movers/shakers of this world do not want to be known and are adept at investing and controlling the world without anyone really knowing it was them. That is how they keep their power. Presidents come and go... and we may have a hard time remembering the name of a president in 1883, but I am sure we don't remember the name of the third wealthiest man in that same year or the name of the coal mogul who had the power to stop the world on a word. See?

Answer 2

Because knowing a list of dead presidents is useless.

Answer 3

I reject your premise.

As proof -- consider this name: Ulysses S Grant.