Grant, Ulysses S. (1822–1885)

THE 18th president of the United States and the commander of Union forces during the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant was associated with one of the most scandal-ridden presidencies in the history of the United States. While the concept of white-collar crime did not fully develop until the following century, federal officials were involved in some of the same sorts of investigations that have haunted contemporary administrations, including the criminal activities of a number of individuals within the president's administration. Grant was a popular choice for president to succeed Andrew Johnson (1808–75) who had become president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1809–65).

The Grant presidency was a time of great political turmoil, and it was highly unlikely that any president of the time could have ...