Julia Dent Grant
1869-1902

Julia Boggs Dent was born near St. Louis on January 26, 1826.
She lived on a plantation and attended the Misses Mauros' boarding school.

She enjoyed horseback riding and fishing.

Library of Congress

She met Ulysses Grant when he was an army lieutenant in 1844. Ulysses Grant knew Julia's brother as a classmate at West Point.

Her father, Colonel Dent thought Grant was too poor to marry Julia. The Grant family disapproved of Julia because her family owned slaves.

They were married after a four year engagement on August 22, 1848.

The Grants did not attend the wedding.

Julia and Ulysses lived at numerous military camps in the early years.

They had four children:

• Frederick Dent
• Ulysses Simpson
• Ellen Wrenshall
• Jesse Root

In 1854, Julia and Ulysses returned to their farm. Grant was unsuccessful running a fame and failed at other businesses.

In 1868, Grant, a Civil War, hero was elected President.

Mrs. Grant enjoyed entertaining and threw lavish parties. Her daughter Nellie was married in the White House. Julia Grant said this about her years in the White House: "quite the happiest period of my life."

She wanted her husband to run for a third term as President. Grant refused.

In 1884, Grant lost his money in a bad investment and also he had throat cancer.

Ulysses died on July 23,1885 in Mount McGregor, New York. He finished his autobiography which was a best seller. The money from the book kept them out of poverty.

Julia continued to live in Washington on the money from Grant's autobiography. She also wrote her memoirs.

Julia died on December 14, 1902 in Washington, D.C. She was 76.

She is buried with her husband in New York City in the General Grant National Memorial.

Visit our site on U.S. Presidents

Books and Websites

Books

Smithsonian Presidents and First Ladiesby James Barber and Amy Pastan.
First Ladies: Women Who Called The White House Home (First Ladies) by Beatrice Gormeley.

Websites

http://www.firstladies.org/ National First Ladies Library
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/058_flal.htmlLibrary of Congress, Images of the First Ladies

Comments and/or corrections should be sent to Jim at jim@anewadventure.org.