Major General Benjamin Butler was a prominent American military officer and politician during the American Civil War. Born on November 5, 1818, in Lowell, Massachusetts, he served as a general in the Union Army and was known for his controversial leadership and policies, particularly regarding the treatment of enslaved people. Butler also had a significant political career, serving as the Governor of Massachusetts and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His actions during the war, including the capture of New Orleans, made him a notable figure, though his methods often sparked debate and criticism. He passed away on January 11, 1893.