‘Grant’ on History channel: What was Ulysses S Grant's real name, did Leonardo DiCaprio's miniseries get it wrong?
Who was Ulysses S Grant, the 18th president of the United States? Born into a humble family of abolitionists, he was called many things — from a war hero to a bloody butcher and a reluctant politician — but there is still much confusion around his real name.
While he is known all around the world as Ulysses Simpson Grant, historical tales deem how his name was drawn from ballots placed in a hat. His father then declared that the boy should be named Hiram Ulysses to honor his father-in-law. People would always call him Ulysses and in the documentary, it is shown how his name became a subject of mockery in school and his mates would call him "useless" instead of Ulysses.
Not just that, his name and his initials went on to inspire many more fascinating nicknames. Thomas L Hamer submitted an incorrect name to West Point and he was enlisted Cadet "US Grant" at the national academy. When he was in the military, his close ones started calling him United States Grant and Uncle Sam Grant using his initials "US". Soon, Sam was the most known nickname among his colleagues.
Pointing out how the miniseries did not talk about his early name Hiram, many viewers posted out the error. "The Grant family put names in a hat and pulled out the names Hiram and Ulysses. His name was then Hiram Ulysses Grant. HUG. At West Point, he went by UH Grant for his first year but eventually accepted the US Grant #GRANT," one fan wrote and another said, "His name was really Hiram Ulysses #Grant, but fortunately he realized the initials HUG were *problematic* at best..."
"Indeed, Grant's greatest early love was horse-riding. Ulysses Hiram Grant, not "Sam" Grant. #Grant," one fan posted. Another went on to pen down their mistake and said, "Hey @History you screwed up Grant’s real name. With that said..... let see Lincoln next followed by General Frederick Funston #Grant #History."
Reflecting on how Grant influenced their family names, one fan posted, "My dad loves Ulysses S Grant so much he named my brother Grant. #GRANT." Another wrote, "It's really nice to see actual history on The History Channel and not aliens or men with long beards shooting or pawning stuff. #GRANT." One excitedly posted, "Grant Cottage is only 2 hours from my house! Road trip! #GRANT!"
Thanking producer Leonardo DiCaprio, one fan said, "Enjoying the heck out of #GRANT and huge thanks to @LeoDiCaprio for bringing this project to life. The production value of the biopic segments are so high I am now hoping that there is a straight-up miniseries or motion picture in the near future! Maybe even a musical? @HISTORY."
Peeping into the life and history of Grant, the miniseries will premiere on Memorial Day and air over three consecutive nights beginning Monday, May 25, at 9 pm ET on History Channel.
