Born: 1826
Died: 1902

Julia Grant often said that her eight years as First Lady were the happiest of her life. The fourth child and first daughter of a prosperous St. Louis slaveholder, Julia was warm and outgoing despite a birth defect that left her with a badly crossed eye. She met Ulysses, her brother’s handsome but insecure West Point classmate, when she was 18 and he 22. They wed four years later, after “Ulys” returned from the Mexican War, and eventually had four children. The Grants were an unusually close family, thanks in large part to Julia’s indomitable good humor. She believed always that Ulys was destined for greatness despite his string of business and professional failures.

Never meant for business or even politics, Ulys was at his best on the battlefield. During his service as the Union Army’s commanding general, Julia frequently joined him in camp, some say to prevent his drinking. whatever the reason, the results were good — his record propelled him to the White House.l As First Lady, Julia advised her husband on several Cabinet appointments though sadly her judgment was no better than his. In step with the “Gilded Age,” Julia entertained lavishly at the White House, particularly for her daughter’s wedding, and was disappointed when Ulys wouldn’t seek a third term. After a two-year trip around the world, the couple moved to New York where Ulys was swindled. But his bestselling memoir left Julia a comfortable widow.

Eighteenth President
Ulysses S. Grant

Born: 1822, Point Pleasant, OH
Died: 1885

Apart from his years in command of the victorious Union forces in the Civil War, the life of Ulysses S. Grant was filled with sorrow and setbacks. Alcoholism forced the unremarkable West Point graduate to resign from the Army after serving in the Mexican war under General Zachary Taylor. Grant tried various jobs, and finally settled down as a clerk in his father’s Illinois leather goods store. He re-enlisted when Civil War broke out. His military acumen earned him successive promotions, and in 1864 Lincoln appointed him General-in-Chief. Roughly one year later, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. In 1868, Grant was chosen by the Radical Republicans to follow the beleaguered Andrew Johnson.

The war hero proved a poor chief executive, filling many jobs with corrupt or incompetent relatives and friends. Although personally honest, he drew criticism for accepting expensive gifts and his two terms in office were plagued by scandals. After he left, Grant joined a New York investment firm and lost his entire fortune through the chicanery of his associates. He completed his memoirs — a work of clarity and grace — while dying of cancer. The proceeds were to pay off his creditors and provide for his family.

Eighteenth President
Republican