Ulysses S. Grant, A Chronology of His Life and Career

(1822-1885) Mexican War soldier Civil War general, 18th President of the United States

Ulysses Grant was a failure in virtually every venture he ever attempted. The only time he ever enjoyed success was when he was in the military. Despite being only an average cadet while at West Point, he gained acclaim for his actions during the Mexican War, and then rose through the ranks of the Union Army to become the hero of the Civil War. His success and fame as a general led to his election as President in 1868. But the qualities that had brought him military glory failed him in his presidential career.

Chronology of His Life and Career
April 27, 1822	Born in Point Pleasant, Ohio.
1823	Family moved to Georgetown, Ohio.
1838	Entered an academy in Ripley, Ohio.
1843	Graduated from West Point.
1846-1847	Fought in the Mexican War.
August 22, 1848	Married Julia Dent.
1854	Resigned from the Army.
1855-1858	Lived on a farm near St. Louis, Missouri.
1859-1861	Worked at a series of failed business ventures.
1861	Appointed a Colonel of Illinois Volunteers.
1863	Led Union troops to victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
1864	Named Supreme Commander of Union forces.
April 9, 1865	Accepted the surrender of Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee.
1868	Elected President of the United States.
1877-1880	Traveled Europe and the Far East with his family.
1880	Defeated in bid for presidential nomination.
1881	Moved to New York City.
1885	Completed his memoirs, Personal Memoirs.
July 23, 1885	Died in Mount McGregor, New York. Buried in New York City.

Grant was named Hiram Ulysses at birth, but his family almost always called him Ulysses. When he got to West Point he discovered that his name had been misprinted on the application as "Ulysses Simpson" (with the Simpson actually being his mother's maiden name) and he never bothered to correct the mistake.