历届美国总统简介：尤里西斯·辛普森·格兰特（在线收听）

尤里西斯·辛普森·格兰特（Ulysses Simpson Grant，1822年4月27日－1885年7月23日），美国军事家、陆军上将、第18任美国总统，他是美国历史上第一位从西点军校毕业的总统。在美国南北战争后期任联邦军总司令，屡建奇功。但能征惯战并不等于善于理政，格兰特的平平政绩与他的赫赫战功成为明显对照。特别是在第二次总统任期内，他对南方奴隶主妥协让步以及对贪污腐化的属员采取姑息纵容态度，引起了选民的普遍不满。格兰特卸职后曾周游世界，并想在政治上东山再起，但未能如愿。晚年经商失败，抑郁病逝。

Ulysses S. Grant was born as Hiram Ulysses Grant in 1822. He was the 18th President of America, serving two terms from 1869 to 1877. In 1838, he went to West Point military academy against his will. He was an average student but excelled at horse riding. A mistake was made with his name on the application form, but he adopted his “new” name, liking the U.S. initials. His classmates called him Sam.

Grant joined the Army in 1839 and fought in the Mexican-American War. He was twice promoted for bravery and he learnt a lot about military tactics. In 1861, Grant was made a colonel. In 1862 he took control of the Mississippi Valley and President Lincoln promoted him to major general. After further impressive battle victories, especially at Chattanooga, Lincoln appointed him General-in-Chief in 1864.

When he was elected President in 1868, the American people hoped for an end to the turmoil of the Civil War. Grant looked to Congress for direction. During the reconstruction, Grant focused on the rebuilding of the South, often with military force. His signing of civil rights laws resulted in the election of African Americans to Congress for the first time.

Grant's presidency was marred by economic turmoil and multiple scandals. He was heavily criticized for not managing the depression. He became involved in many corruption scandals, which ruined his chances of getting a third-term nomination. After retiring from office, Grant went on a two-year world tour. He wrote his memoirs and died in 1885 aged 63, soon after completing the last page.