My Genealogy Hound

Ulysses S. Grant Writing His Memoirs, June 27, 1885, historic photo

An historic photo of President Ulysses S. Grant writing his memoirs. This photo was taken on June 27, 1885 making it one of the last photos ever taken of Grant. Left destitute by bad investments, Grant was persuaded to write the story of his life to raise badly needed income. At near the same time he discovered that he had throat cancer and his health deteriorated rather quickly. Although he did finish writing the biography and it was a huge success upon publication, he never lived to see any of the results. He completed the biography just days before his death on July 23, 1885. The photo seen here was taken less than thirty days before his death. The biography was published shortly after his death as a two volume set by his friend, Mark Twain. Twain paid Grant's widow, Julia Grant about $450,000 in royalties from the sales which was an immense fortune during that period of time.

Ulysses S. Grant (born as Hiram Ulysses Grant), born April 27, 1822, Point Pleasant, Ohio; died July 23, 1885, at Mount Gregor, Wilton (near Saratoga Springs), New York, age 63.

Command General of the United States Army 1864-1869
President of the United States 1869-1877