Ulysses S. Grant was born on April 27, 1822, in Ohio and died on July 23, 1885, in New York. Grant was an American military leader and he also served as the 18th president of the United States. He served as the Commanding General of the Union Army and led them to victory over the Confederates in 1865. As president, he signed the bill that created the Justice Department and he also worked to protect African Americans during Reconstruction.