Gen. Grant and Li Hung Chang, Viceroy of China, 1879
Library of Congress
After his presidency, Grant and his family set out on a world tour on May 16, 1877 that lasted for almost three years, and made stops in India, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Li Hung Chang planted a 7 foot Gingko tree at Grant’s temporary tomb in 1897 as a tribute to their friendship formed during Grant’s visit to China.
Last photograph of Ulysses S. Grant, 1885
Library of Congress
Upon their return to the United States from their world tour, Grant and Julia were gifted a home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. In 1884, Grant complained of a sore throat, and learned that he had throat cancer. Worried about being able to financially support Julia and his family after his death, Grant accepted a book contract from friend Mark Twain. To learn more about his Mark Twain helped Ulysses write his personal memoirs, visit https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/how-mark-twain-helped-ulysses-s-grant-write-his-personal-memoirs.htm
Ulysses S. Grant writing memoirs, at Mount McGregor, June 27, 1885
Library of Congress
Grant began writing his memoirs in his Manhattan apartment but soon moved upstate to Mount McGregor where he finished “The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” on July 20, 1885. Three days later, Grant died on July 23, 1885 at the age of 63, after a yearlong struggle with throat cancer.The two volumes eventually sold more than 300,000 sets, earning royalties of over $450,000 which brought financial security to Julia and their 4 children. Grant’s Memoirs are recognized among the finest first hand histories of the war, and one of the best autobiographies of any military leader.
