Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant
18th President of the United States
In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877
Vice President	Schuyler Colfax (1869–1873); Henry Wilson (1873–1875)
Preceded by	Andrew Johnson
Succeeded by	Rutherford B. Hayes
Personal details
Born	Hiram Ulysses Grant April 27, 1822(1822-04-27) Point Pleasant, Ohio
Died	July 23, 1885 (aged 63) Mount McGregor, New York
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Julia Dent Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 - July 23, 1885), born Hiram Ulysses Grant, was the general who many think won the American Civil War and later became the 18th President of the United States (1869-1877).

Early Life

Hiram Ulysses Grant was raised in Point Pleasant, Ohio. He grew up on a farm with his family, had three sisters and two brothers, and went to local schools before attending the Presbyterian Academy and then being appointed to West Point. He was not necessarily the best student though he was good at math. When he graduated, he was placed in the infantry.

Name change

When Grant arrived at West Point and discovered that the Academy had him registered under the wrong name as Ulysses S. Grant, he tried to get the error corrected. He was told that it didn't matter what he or his parents thought his name was, the official government application said his name was "Ulysses S." and that application could not be changed. If Hiram Ulysses Grant wanted to attend West Point, he would have to change his name.

Pre-presidency & Presidency

Before becoming the president, he was an officer in the Union Army (North). He fought in the Mexican War and became a general at the start of the Civil War. He served as head of the Army of Tennessee and won victories at Shiloh, Vicksburg and Chattanooga. He became the top general in the Union Army from 1864 to 1865 and fought several battles against Robert E. Lee.

Since he was able to do well fighting in the American Civil War, he gained popularity which helped him to become president. Even though he was a respected general and supported civil rights for African Americans, historians criticize his presidency because he appointed his friends into high political positions and tolerated their corruption (even though Grant himself was innocent).

Later life and death

After his presidency, Grant was poor and was suffering from throat cancer. He wrote a book about his life that sold millions of copies. He died three days after he finished writing the book. He is buried with his wife Julia in Grant's Tomb, New York City, New York.

Other websites

• Grant's White House biography