Ulysses S. Grant: Birth and Early Life

Date of Birth: April 27, 1822
Place of Birth: Point Pleasant, Ohio, United States

Ulysses S. Grant was born as Hiram Ulysses Grant to Jesse Root Grant, a tanner and leather goods merchant, and Hannah Simpson Grant. He was their first child, born into a modest home on the banks of the Ohio River. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Georgetown, Ohio, where he would spend much of his early childhood.

Early Life and Education

Grant’s early education was typical of the time, consisting mostly of local schools. In 1839, at the age of 17, Grant received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. On the academy rolls, a clerical error listed his name as Ulysses S. Grant, a name he adopted permanently. The “S” did not stand for anything, though Grant often humorously suggested it stood for “Simpson,” his mother’s maiden name.

At West Point, Grant excelled in mathematics and horsemanship but was an otherwise unremarkable student academically. He graduated in 1843, ranking 21st in a class of 39.

Significance

Grant’s early life and tenure at West Point laid the foundation for his military career. Although initially ambivalent about military service, his experiences would become pivotal in his role as a Union general during the American Civil War and later as the 18th President of the United States. His leadership during the Civil War, particularly in securing key victories for the Union, would establish his legacy as one of America’s most significant military figures.