Imagining Ulysses S. Grant: Sifting through the shifting sands of conventional wisdom

Abstract

Recent biographies have described Ulysses S. Grant much more favorably than the conventional wisdom of the 1980s. This paper explores why earlier assessments may have misunderstood Grant in a negative direction. Reasons include the writings of historians sympathetic to the "Lost Cause" of the Confederacy, Grant's unimpressive appearance and manner, and common social perception biases. It is argued that Grant's capacities for strategic thinking, clear expression, and courageous imperturbability enabled him to lead the Union to victory in the Civil War, achieve notable but overlooked successes as President, and write highly acclaimed military memoirs.