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A Labor of Love:
Financially ruined, Grant began writing his memoirs for the money it provided. He soon discovered he enjoyed writing and threw himself into his work. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with throat cancer and realized the book was his last opportunity to provide for Julia's financial security.
Grant's love for his wife motivated him to keep writing despite his illness. Determined to finish his memoirs, he endured severe pain and the ravages of the cancer, knowing the strain would shorten his life. Admitting the irony to his physician, he said, "I had been adding to my book and to my coffin. I presume every strain of the mind or body is one more nail in the coffin."
Advance sales assured Grant that his efforts would give his beloved Julia security. One week after completing his last labor of love, Ulysses died.
"The first volume [of my memoirs], as well as a portion of the second, was written before I had reason to suppose I was in a critical condition of health. Later I was reduced almost to the point of death... I have, however, somewhat regained my strength, and am able, often, to devote as many hours a day as a person should devote to such work."
-- Ulysses S. Grant |