Born Hiram Ulysses Grant in Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio. When he was appointed to West Point, his name was listed as Ulysses Simpson, with Simpson being his mother's maiden name. He graduated from West Point in 1843, 21st in a class of 39. Married Julia Boggs Dent October 22, 1848. They had four children.

He served during the Mexican War under Zachary Taylor. Later he served under Winfield Scott at Vera Cruz, Molino del Ray and Chapultepec. He resigned his commission July 31, 1854, to enter business. His resignation was accepted by Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis. Grant was a clerk in his brother's leather store in Galena, Illinois.

With the outbreak of the Civil War he joined the 21st Illinois as a colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general in August with an effective date back to May 17, 1861. The promotion was based more of political connections than on military accomplishments. His victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson won him the nickname "Unconditional Surrender." He was in command during the Battle of Shiloh. He laid siege to Vicksburg and forced a surrendered July 4, 1863. That victory resulted in his promotion to major general. After a victory at Chattanooga, Congress honored him with a gold medal (Julian MI-29)

Grant received command of the Union forces. In the late stages of the war Grant marched toward Richmond and the siege of Petersburg. He received the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House April 9, 1865. He was promoted to full general in 1866.

Grant sided with Stanton against President Johnson. He was nominated for 18th President, elected in 1868 and reelected in 1872. He was president during the panic of 1873.

He had been unsuccessful in business prior to the war and did poorly in business after his presidency. The brokerage firm of Grant & Ward went bankrupt and he was forced to sell his war souvenirs to repay debts. His autobiography, The Personal Memoires of U.S. Grant, was published by Mark Twain. The book earned $450,000 for his family.

Grant died at Mount McGregor, New York. In answer to the frequently asked question, he is buried in Grant's Tomb in New York City.

Grant appears on paper money:

15c Fractional Currency, fourth issue

$1 Silver Certificate, series of 1899

$5 Silver Certificate, series of 1886 and 1891

$5 Silver Certificate, series of 1896, reverse

$50 Federal Reserve Notes, 1914 and later

$50 Federal Reserve Bank Note, series of 1918

$50 National Bank Note, series of 1929

$50 Gold Certificate, series of 1928

Grant appears on several medals produced at the Philadelphia mint. Some were specifically produced to meet collector demand (such as USM 608).

He appears on the standard 76 mm Presidential medal (Julian PR-15). Dies were by William and Charles Barber. Modern copies (USM 118) have been produced.

Grant appears on the 62 mm Indian Peace Medal (Julian IP-42). Dies were by Anthony Paquet. Modern copies (USM 627) were produced.

Grant appears on the obverse of the medal for the Union Pacific Railroad. The medal (USM 623) was designed by William Barber. Barber also designed the Grant "Let Us Have Peace" medal (USM 633).

One of the largest medals ever produced at the mint was the 105 mm medal honoring Grant (Julian MI-29). Congress authorized the medal December 17, 1863. Dies were produced by Anthony Paquet from a design by Antrobus. In 1874 the medal could be purchased at the mint for $8.00. Modern copies (USM 425) were produced.

Grant appears with Lee on the Civil War Veteran’s medal.

The Grant presidential dollar coin was launched May 19, 2011, at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in St. Louis. The obverse was designed and sculpted by Don Everhart.

bio: ApCAB; BDEB; DAB; Drake; EAB; Failor; Limpert; NCAB 4; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H; NUM 75 Sep 1962 page 1175