Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President Ulysses S. Grant:
Personal Information on Ulysses S. Grant:
- Eighteenth President (1869-1877)
- Birthday: April 27, 1822 (Friday)
- Birthplace: Point Pleasant, Ohio
- Birthplace Website: President Ulysses Grant’s Birthplace
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Date of Death: July 23, 1885 (Thursday)
- Place of Death: Wilton, New York
- Place of Burial: New York City, New York
- Burial Website: President Ulysses Grant’s Grave
- Cause of Death: Throat cancer
- Age: 63 years old
- Length of Retirement: 3063 days
- Presidential Library: Ulysses S Grant Presidential Library
Interesting Ulysses S. Grant facts:
- Ulysses Grant and his wife took a world tour about two months after he left office. From Philadelphia, the Grants boarded the SS Indiana for England. Their first stop in England was Liverpool, which would one day become famous for a singing group called the Beatles. Some of the places they visited included: England, Switzerland, Scotland, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Egypt, India, and Japan. Grant would also have an Audience with Pope Leo XIII.
- No one is absolutely sure what the “S” in Ulysses S Grant stands for. Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant. When he was admitted to West Point there was a mix up in his name. He was enrolled as Ulysses S. Grant. Not wanting to take a chance on either being denied admission or delaying his entry, Grant just adopted his new name. Besides, US Grant is such a cool name for a military student. He would later acquire nicknames like “Uncle Sam” and “Unconditional Surrender” Grant. Most people attach the name Simpson to the “S.” This is probably because that was his Mother’s maiden name.
- In a break with tradition, President Andrew Johnson, Grant’s predecessor, did not ride with him to his inauguration, nor did he attend Grant’s inauguration.
My favorite Ulysses S. Grant Quotes:
I know only two tunes: one of them is “Yankee Doodle,” and the other isn’t.
In every battle there is a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins.
No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works.
The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can, and keep moving on.
Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions.
Ulysses S. Grant blogs (click the title to go to that page):
Ulysses S. Grant page on Presidential Crossroads (click “Ulysses S. Grant” below):
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant Blogs:
Grant – His Name, Nickname and His Father
Presidential Musical Abilities
Lincoln and Grant – Their Relationship
James Garfield – The Election of 1880
Robert Todd Lincoln – Near Three Presidential Assassinations
What similiar trait do I have with Presidents Polk through Hayes
Personal thoughts on Ulysses S. Grant:
Strengths:
Popular, Successful General
Weaknesses:
Seem to crave “the good life,” trusted friends and advisors too much, not good with money
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 2.1
Comments:
A 2.1 might even be generous. Grant’s popularity enabled him to push the Fifteenth Amendment on the returning Confederate states. Basically, this Amendment declared that states could no longer deny someone the right to vote because of their race. But corruption ran rampant in his administration and it was one of the most corrupt in our history. He, himself, was never tainted by corruption, but he was surrounded by it. He also pushed for a gold standard (all US currency needed to be backed by gold). Although that might have been a very noble idea, it tightened up the money supply and was probably a major contributor to the Panic of 1873 and the “Long Depression” that followed. Grant was never a very good businessman and it really showed during that depression.
Favorite Ulysses S. Grant book:
Grant – A Biography by William S. McFeely
Favorite Ulysses S. Grant story:
Ulysses Grant was supposed to be in the same booth as Lincoln the night Lincoln was shot. Booth’s plan was to kill both of them. Mrs. Grant could not stand Mrs. Lincoln, so Grant turned down the invitation.
Most memorable Ulysses S. Grant memory:
My wife and I took our grandson on a bus tour trip to Washington DC. As we went by the US Capitol, the tour guide pointed out the statue of Grant. She mentioned that he was on his horse looking at his commander, President Lincoln. The statue faces the Lincoln Memorial. I returned the next week and sat beside the statue and wrote a blog (Lincoln and Grant – Their Relationship).
Favorite Ulysses S. Grant possession (see picture at the top):
A small Ulysses Grant bust I picked up at a yard sale.
