View source for Ulysses S. Grant

{{Infobox US president
| name = Ulysses S. Grant
| image = Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Portrait.jpg
| order = 18th
| office = President of the United States
| vicepresident = [[Schuyler Colfax]] (1869–1873)<br>[[Henry Wilson]] (1873–1875)
| term_start = March 4, 1869
| term_end = March 4, 1877
| predecessor = [[Andrew Johnson]]
| successor = [[Rutherford B. Hayes]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1822|4|27}}
| birth_place = [[Point Pleasant, Ohio]], United States
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1885|7|23|1822|4|27}}
| death_place = [[Wilton, New York]], United States
| political_party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = [[Julia Dent Grant]] (m. 1848–1885)
| children = 4
| profession = Soldier, general, author, politician
| alma_mater = United States Military Academy (West Point)
| signature = Ulysses S. Grant Signature.svg
}}

'''Ulysses S. Grant''' (born '''Hiram Ulysses Grant''', April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was the '''18th president of the United States''', serving from 1869 to 1877. A legendary '''Union general''' during the Civil War, Grant led the North to victory and later sought to heal the nation as president during '''Reconstruction'''.

== Early Life and Military Career ==
Grant was born in Ohio and graduated from '''West Point'''. He served in the Mexican–American War but left the Army in 1854. Struggling financially, he worked in various civilian jobs before returning to service during the Civil War.

== Civil War Hero ==
As commanding general, Grant led the Union Army to key victories, including:
* The Siege of Vicksburg
* The Battle of Chattanooga
* Forcing Confederate General Robert E. Lee to surrender at '''Appomattox Court House''' in 1865

Grant was hailed as a national hero and promoted to '''General of the Army'''.

== Presidency (1869–1877) ==
Grant was elected president in 1868 and re-elected in 1872. His administration prioritized:
* Protecting African American civil rights during Reconstruction
* Prosecuting the '''Ku Klux Klan'''
* Supporting the '''15th Amendment'''
* Establishing the Department of Justice

However, his presidency was also marred by multiple '''corruption scandals''' among his cabinet and associates, including the '''Whiskey Ring''' and '''Credit Mobilier'''.

== Later Life and Memoirs ==
After leaving office, Grant traveled the world and later faced financial ruin due to a failed investment scheme. He wrote his '''memoirs while dying of throat cancer''', completing them just days before his death. His memoirs were a literary and financial success and are still highly regarded.

== Legacy ==
Grant's reputation declined for decades due to the scandals of his administration, but modern historians now praise his strong leadership on civil rights and his efforts to stabilize the post-war nation. He is buried in '''Grant’s Tomb''' in [[New York City]], the largest mausoleum in North America.

== See also ==
* [[Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant]]
* [[American Civil War]]
* [[Reconstruction Era]]
* [[15th Amendment to the United States Constitution]]
* [[Grant's Tomb]]

[[Category:Presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Republican Party presidents of the United States]]
[[Category:Union Army generals]]
[[Category:People from Ohio]]
[[Category:West Point alumni]]
[[Category:1822 births]]
[[Category:1885 deaths]]