# Ulysses S. Grant — The Education of Henry Adams character guide

> Ulysses S. Grant in The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Grant, President Grant, General Grant, Subsequently Grant

**First appearance:** 0019-xvii-president-grant-1869

## Snapshot

The new President whose character, as Henry Adams watched it unfold in Washington, proved startling, astounding, and terrifying—a lesson in the gulf between reputation and reality.

## Who they are

Adams returned from England to a Washington still charmed by Grant's ascent, only to watch the President's political character betray what Adams called a 'fatal deception—or undeception.' The Gold Corner scandal of September 1869, with Jay Gould's brazen attempt to corner gold, exposed a administration whose assurances could not be trusted. For Adams, Grant became the emblem of a Washington that was amusing, seductive, and morally treacherous—a city whose charm he loved too much to question its value, even as its lessons accumulated.

## Relationships

### [Henry Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/characters/henry_adams)

_rivalry_

Henry Adams viewed Grant's presidency as a failure of intellect and character, leading to a deeply critical and antagonistic dynamic.

### [Clarence King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/characters/clarence_king)

_professional_

Clarence King interacted with Ulysses S. Grant in a professional capacity, often critical of Grant's administration.

### [Adam Badeau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/characters/adam_badeau)

_professional_

Adam Badeau served as a military aide and later biographer to Ulysses S. Grant, maintaining a loyal professional relationship.

### [Henry Adams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/characters/henry_adams)

_rivalry_

Henry Adams viewed Grant's presidency as a failure of intellect and character, leading to a deeply critical and antagonistic dynamic.

## In the story

### [XVII: President Grant (1869)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/chapters/xvii-president-grant-1869)

Newly inaugurated President; observed by Adams as a curious, intermittent, and passive figure, compared to Garibaldi.

### [Free Fight (1869–1870)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/chapters/xviii-free-fight-1869-1870)

President whose administration is described as outraging decency and marking the breakdown of the political system.

### [Chaos (1870)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/chapters/xix-chaos-1870)

Mentioned as an example of the inarticulate, uncertain American leader; his administration is criticized for wrecking men.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/characters/ulysses_s_grant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_education_of_henry_adams_se/characters