Julia Grant

Julia grew up in Missouri, a slave-holding state. When she married Ulysses Grant in 1848, she brought four enslaved people with her. She did not free them until 1863, after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. When she became First Lady, the press criticized her appearance, especially her crossed eye. Julia considered risky aesthetic surgery until Ulysses told her he loved her as she was. Julia enjoyed being First Lady immensely and oversaw a vast renovation of the war-weary White House. Her receptions were lavish affairs with multiple courses. She was exceedingly disappointed when Ulysses decided not to run for a third presidential term.