Perspective: Ulysses Was the Hero of a European Odyssey

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Byline: Chris Upton

As far as I can tell, the fate of the Regent Hotel in Leamington Spa still hangs in the balance. If those who are campaigning to save it need an illustrious name to add to their list of supporters, then I have one to hand. He's dead, unfortunately, but his stay at the town's grandest B & B undoubtedly added to its status at the time.

The man in question was none other than the President of the United States. His is a name we more generally associate with the American Civil War, but after that conflict was over he rose to the supreme office in the land. His name was Ulysses Simpson Grant.

Grant led the Union forces to victory in the …