George Washington Cullum was an American soldier, engineer and writer. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, primarily serving in the Western Theater. Cullum also served as the 16th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.
Cullum was born in New York City, but was raised in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the United States Military Academy, ranking third in the Class of 1833. He designed the Independent Congregational Church at Meadville and it was built in 18351836. He joined the Corps of Engineers and supervised a number of construction projects on the East Coast. Cullum served as the engineer in charge of the construction of Fort Trumbull in New London, Connecticut. He was promoted to captain in 1838 and held this rank until the outbreak of the civil war. He was an instructor of engineering at West Point from 1848 to 1855, and published the forerunner of his Biographical Register in 1850. Cullum took two years leave of absence for health reasons, and traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the West Indies while recuperating.
Source: Wikipedia