William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. Before the Civil War, he fought in the Mexican-American War and was the head of Louisiana State University. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–65). While general, he led the Atlanta Campaign and burned the city. Sherman's March to the Sea later devastated Georgia and burned Savannah. After the Civil War, he was in charge of all the Union Armies. He was urged several times to run for President of the United States, but declined to run each time.