Ulysses Simpson Grant

Grant, Ulysses Simpson 

Born Apr. 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio; died July 23, 1885, in Mount McGregor, near Saratoga, N.Y. Military and political figure in the USA. Son of a merchant.

In 1843, Grant graduated from the military academy at West Point. He participated in the American war against Mexico of 1846–48. During the Civil War (1861–65), he commanded the 21st Illinois Volunteer Regiment. In August 1861 he became a brigadier general. In March 1864 he received the title of lieutenant general of the land forces and was appointed commander in chief of all federal armies. Grant’s successful direction of military operations made possible the destruction of the main armed forces of the Southern slaveowners in Virginia and the capitulation of the rebels at Appomattox (Apr. 9, 1865). From 1869 to 1877 he was president of the USA (he was the candidate of the Republican Party). In domestic politics and particularly with regard to Reconstruction. Grant supported the political course of the moderates among the Republicans. During Grant’s years in the presidency there was much speculation on the stock exchange and corruption became widespread.

REFERENCES

K stoletiiu grazhdanskoi voiny v SShA (collection of articles). Moscow, 1961.
Kuropiatnik. G. P. Vtoraia amerikanskaia revoliutsiia. Moscow, 1961.
Catton, B. Grant Takes Command. Boston-Toronto [1969].

R. F. IVANOV