Julia Grant, née Julia Boggs Dent, (born January 26, 1826, near St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. died December 14, 1902, Washington, D.C.), American first lady (1869–77), the wife of Ulysses S. Grant, 18th president of the United States and commander of the Union armies during the last years of the American Civil War. A popular first lady, she was noted for her informal manner and opulent entertaining. Daughter of Frederick Dent, a successful merchant and plantation owner, and Ellen Bray Wrenshall Dent, Julia was one of eight children and the eldest of four girls. Although she attended local schools and then spent