Ulysses S. Grant was an American general and the 18th President of the United States. He is best known for leading the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy during the American Civil War. As president, he worked to reconstruct the South and protect the civil rights of African Americans. Grant's presidency was marked by efforts to combat corruption and promote civil service reform. He is also known for his memoirs, which are considered one of the greatest works of American literature. Grant is remembered as a key figure in American history for his military leadership and his efforts to promote equality and justice.