According to historians, who was the most popular American historical figure of his/her time? [I Love History]

UPDATE: I will take either of 2 answers, because 'historical figure' can be interpreted differently.

This is impossible to know with 100% certainty, of course, but there is a fairly firm view of this.

The winner gets a prize.

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uncleshawn · 41-45, M

[c=7700B2][b]ANSWERS:[/b]

[b]General Ulysses Grant.[/b] He was enormously respected in both the North and South. In the very latter years of his life, as people learned more about him, his popularity hit a peak, despite the many lies and propaganda campaigns spread against him by [u]jealous rivals[/u].

[b]Houdini.[/b]

In more modern times, people have TOO MUCH access to media, and there are TOO MANY media figures being promoted. So, popularity is spread among a wider group of people. Also, the further back you go, the more people were respected for truly amazing things and for their character as opposed to shallow reasons.[/c]

FreestyleArt · 31-35, M

@uncleshawn ah I was somewhat close. Grant was Abram's only Hope during the Silver War.

checkoutanytime · M

@uncleshawn u.n. real, alister crow'lees', ruined everything 😑

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJiWlC-93Y8]

uncleshawn · 41-45, M

@FreestyleArt The way Grant showed respect to Lee and the South and a few other things garnered him immense respect in the South, whereas many regarded Lincoln as a tyrant. It was an age of honor. People with honor respected enemies who they believed acted with honor.