Julia Dent Grant; 1869-1877

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