Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885) was an American politician and soldier who served as the United States’ 18th president from 1869 to 1877. Grant, as Commanding General of the United States Army, led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War before becoming president. Grant was an influential civil rights executive during Reconstruction, partnering with the Radical Republicans to defend African Americans and restore public confidence. He is credited with resurrecting the United States Navy, which had fallen behind other world-power navies such as the United Kingdom’s and Spain’s at the time.