Ulysses S. Grant (1822 - 1885) was the 18th President of the United States, serving from 1869 to 1877, and a commanding general during the American Civil War. Born in Ohio on April 27, 1822, Grant initially struggled in various careers before enrolling at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He gained national prominence as a general in the Union Army, particularly for his victories in battles such as Vicksburg and the final defeat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, which led to the end of the Civil War.

After the war, Grant was elected president, and his two terms were marked by efforts to enforce civil rights for African Americans during Reconstruction, though his administration faced political and economic challenges, including scandals involving corruption among his officials. Grant's leadership in both the military and as president helped shape the post-war United States, and he is remembered as a key figure in the nation's history. He died in 1885 after writing his memoirs, which became a literary and historical classic.