Expert: Tom Schott - 8/25/2009

Question
Do you know the publication date of U.S. Grant's Memoirs? Grant died in July 1885 and I believe his memoirs were published after his death. Some people have a copy of his memoirs and see what appears to be an inscription and signature by Grant, but that was impossible of course, because he died before publication. I've been trying to find the month of publication.

Thanks.

Answer
Jerry,

 Grant's Memoirs were indeed published after his death in July 1885. The publication date of the memoirs is 1885. We know that Grant worked on the Memoirs to within days of his death. Although I cannot be precise about the exact month, I would guess it to be in the final quarter of the year, October-December.

 The inscription you mention is indeed there. The publisher, Charles L. Webster and Company, used a facsimile of Grant's own hand. It reads:

    These volumes are dedicated to the American soldier and sailor.
                                                U.S. Grant
      New York City      
      May 23d 1885