When you hear the name Ulysses S. Grant, you probably think of a cigar-chomping general or the guy on the fifty-dollar bill. Maybe you think of the "drunk" rumors or the scandals of his presidency. But honestly, for a handful of people walking around today, he isn’t just a historical figure in a textbook. He’s Great-Grandpa.
Tracing the ulysses s grant great grandson lineage is kinda like trying to solve a puzzle where half the pieces are named "Ulysses." It gets confusing fast. You’ve got the original General, then his sons, then a flock of grandsons—many of whom shared his name—and finally the great-grandsons who had to figure out how to live in that massive shadow.
Most people don’t realize that the Grant family didn't just fade into the woodwork after 1885. They stayed busy. They became curators, scientists, and writers. Some even fought in the same wars their ancestor would have recognized, while others dealt with the "curse" of the name in very modern ways.
The Men Who Carried the Torch
Basically, the "great-grandson" generation of the Grant family hit their stride in the mid-20th century. If you're looking for the most direct link to the General's military and public legacy, you have to look at the descendants of Frederick Dent Grant (the General’s eldest son).
Ulysses S. Grant III: The Bridge
Wait, I know what you’re thinking. "III" usually means grandson, right? Correct. But his life is the key to understanding the great-grandsons. Ulysses S. Grant III was a Major General himself. He lived until 1968, which means he was the primary link for the next generation.
His daughters—the General's great-granddaughters—were the ones who carried the stories into the modern era. Specifically, Julia Grant (who became Julia Grant Dietz) was a huge deal in keeping the flame alive. She was the last living great-grandchild of the President, passing away relatively recently in the grand scheme of history.
Ulysses Grant Dietz: The Modern Face of the Name
If you’re looking for a ulysses s grant great grandson figure who is active today, you’re actually looking for the great-great grandsons, like Ulysses Grant Dietz.
I’ve gotta tell you, his story is fascinating. He isn’t some dusty historian living in a library. For 37 years, he was a high-level curator at the Newark Museum. He’s an expert in decorative arts.
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But here’s the kicker: he also writes vampire novels.
Yeah, you read that right. The great-great-grandson of the man who saved the Union writes about the undead. Honestly, it’s the most "human" thing ever. He grew up in Syracuse, and as a kid, he was more into Dark Shadows and Bela Lugosi than Civil War reenactments. He’s been very open about what it’s like to carry that name. In his book Growing Up Grant, he talks about how people would immediately judge him—expecting him to be a drunk or a genius or a soldier—the moment they heard his name was Ulysses.
Other Notable Descendants
The family tree branches out quite a bit. You’ve got:
- John Griffiths: Another great-great-grandson who has been active in preserving the history of Grant’s "Last Battle" at Mt. McGregor.
- Chapman Grant’s Line: Chapman was a grandson (died in 1983) who was a famous herpetologist. His kids and grandkids (the great and great-great grandsons) moved out West, many settling in California.
Why the "Ulysses" Name Keeps Popping Up
The family had this habit of naming every firstborn son Ulysses. It’s a tribute, sure, but it’s also a lot of pressure. Imagine being a ulysses s grant great grandson in 1950 and trying to apply for a job. Everyone asks, "Oh, any relation?"
Actually, the name "Simpson" is a bit of a historical fluke. The General was born Hiram Ulysses Grant. A mistake at West Point turned him into Ulysses S. Grant, and he just rolled with it. Most of his descendants, including the great-grandsons, kept the "S" or "Simpson" as a badge of honor, even if the General himself wasn't technically born with it.
The Struggle With the "Drunk" Label
One thing the great-grandsons and their kids have always had to fight is the reputation. Historians have spent decades debunking the idea that Grant was a hopeless alcoholic, but the myth persists.
For the descendants, this isn't just a "fun fact." It’s a family slur. Ulysses Grant Dietz has mentioned in interviews that whenever he met someone new, the "drunk" comment was usually the second thing out of their mouth. It’s a heavy burden for a great-grandson to carry—defending a man who died seventy years before you were born.
What Happened to the Money?
You might think a ulysses s grant great grandson would be sitting on a mountain of gold. Nope.
The General famously lost everything in a Ponzi scheme (the Grant & Ward scandal) right before he died. He wrote his memoirs while dying of throat cancer just to make sure his wife, Julia, wouldn't be homeless.
Because of that, the subsequent generations weren't "trust fund kids" in the way we think of the Rockefellers or Vanderbilts. They were working professionals. They were military officers, scientists, and museum curators. They earned their keep.
How to Find the Grants Today
If you're looking for the current "leader" of the family, there isn't really one single person. The family is spread out across the U.S. However, if you go to Grant’s Tomb in New York City on April 27th (the General's birthday), you’ll almost always find a ulysses s grant great grandson or great-great-grandson giving a speech.
They are very protective of the General's reputation. They were instrumental in the 1990s in forcing the National Park Service to clean up the tomb when it had fallen into disrepair. They don't just carry the name; they do the work.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
If you're researching the Grant lineage or want to connect with this history, here’s how to do it without getting lost in the "Ulysses" name loops:
- Check the Society of Presidential Descendants: This is where the real-deal family members hang out. It’s a great resource for seeing how the legacy is managed today.
- Read "Growing Up Grant": If you want the raw, honest truth about being a descendant, Ulysses Grant Dietz’s memoir is the gold standard. It’s funny, a bit sad, and very real.
- Visit Grant Cottage: Located in Wilton, NY, this is where the General died. The family still has strong ties here, and the site often hosts events featuring descendants.
- Follow the Herpetology Link: If you’re interested in the Chapman Grant branch, look into the San Diego Museum of Natural History. He was a giant in that field, and his legacy is still felt there.
The story of the ulysses s grant great grandson isn't a story of fading glory. It's a story of regular people trying to live their own lives while acknowledging a massive, complicated, and ultimately heroic ancestor. They aren't the General, and they don't try to be. They’re just the people who happen to have his eyes and his last name.
Next Steps for Research:
You can actually track the specific lineage through the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library at Mississippi State University. They hold the most extensive collection of family correspondence that details the lives of the great-grandchildren during the early 20th century. Look for the "Grant Family Papers" digital archive to see original letters from this generation.