Just a few weeks after Union General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant accepted Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, Grant sat for this portrait by photographer Alexander Gardner at his Washington, D.C., studio. The image is a rare albumen carte de visite. Grant holds one of his trademark cigars, from which he was inseparable. Grant’s popularity with the Northern public by April 1865 cannot be overestimated. He was photographed more than any American of the 19th century, including President Abraham Lincoln. Whenever he traveled, including locations on a world tour following his two-term presidency, Grant attracted large crowds. On occasion, his presence even started riots among people trying to get a glimpse of him. This image is one of nearly 300 that will be published in the forthcoming book Grant in Photographs. The author, Keya Morgan, hopes to include every photograph of Grant, and would appreciate the opportunity to examine Grant images owned by readers. Electronic copies may be sent to key15@aol.com, and photocopies should be sent to P.O. Box 8269, New York, NY 10116.
