sherman

sherman — noun

1. William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–1891), a famous Union general during the American

1.nounB1
Definition

William Tecumseh Sherman (1820–1891), a famous Union general during the American Civil War. He is best known for his March to the Sea through Georgia and the Carolinas, a military campaign that helped end the war.

Example

General William Tecumseh Sherman led a famous march across Georgia in 1864.

key event: Sherman's March to the Sea

Rin's class studied Sherman's military strategy during the Civil War unit at school.

Common collocations
  • March to the Sea
  • Union general
  • burn Atlanta
  • command the army
  • total war strategy

Usage Note

This is by far the most widely recognized 'Sherman' in American history. He is typically referred to as 'General Sherman' or 'William Tecumseh Sherman' — using just 'Sherman' in a U.S. history context almost always refers to this person. Of the four famous American Shermans, this one appears most often in textbooks and popular culture.

Common Mistakes

Sherman was president of the United States.
Sherman was a Union general in the Civil War.
Despite his fame, William Tecumseh Sherman never held elected office.

2. John Sherman (1823–1900), an American statesman who served as a U.S. senator fro

2.nounB2
Definition

John Sherman (1823–1900), an American statesman who served as a U.S. senator from Ohio and as U.S. Secretary of State. He was the younger brother of General William Tecumseh Sherman and helped pass the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.

Example

John Sherman served as a U.S. senator from Ohio for over thirty years.

political role and state represented

The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was named after Senator John Sherman.

namesake of the Sherman Antitrust Act

Common collocations
  • Sherman Antitrust Act
  • serve as senator
  • Secretary of State
  • regulate monopolies

Usage Note

John Sherman is most commonly encountered in the context of the Sherman Antitrust Act. His name is often brought up in discussions of U.S. economic regulation and monopoly law.

Common Mistakes

William Sherman wrote the Antitrust Act.
John Sherman wrote the Antitrust Act.
The Antitrust Act is named after John Sherman, not his brother the general.

3. James Schoolcraft Sherman (1855–1912), the 27th vice president of the United Sta

3.nounB2
Definition

James Schoolcraft Sherman (1855–1912), the 27th vice president of the United States, who served under President William Howard Taft from 1909 until his death in 1912.

Example

James Schoolcraft Sherman served as vice president under President Taft from 1909 to 1912.

historical reference: office and tenure

Kian read about James Schoolcraft Sherman in his American history textbook at school.

Common collocations
  • serve as vice president
  • die in office
  • represent New York in Congress

Usage Note

This figure is usually referred to by his full name 'James Schoolcraft Sherman' or by his title 'Vice President Sherman' in historical writing. Simply calling him 'Sherman' can cause confusion with the other three famous people who share the surname, especially General William Tecumseh Sherman (sense 1).

Common Mistakes

James Sherman was VP in 1910.
James Schoolcraft Sherman was VP in 1910.
He is almost always referred to by his full middle name 'Schoolcraft' to distinguish him from other Shermans.

4. Roger Sherman (1721–1793), an American jurist and statesman from Connecticut. He

4.nounC1
Definition

Roger Sherman (1721–1793), an American jurist and statesman from Connecticut. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and helped draft the Great Compromise that created the two-house Congress.

Example

Roger Sherman of Connecticut signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

historical fact: signer of Declaration

Devika learned that Roger Sherman helped create the Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention.

Common collocations
  • sign the Declaration
  • sign the Constitution
  • Great Compromise
  • Founding Father

Usage Note

Roger Sherman is distinguished from the other Shermans by his 18th-century role in the American Revolution and founding of the U.S. government. He is the oldest of the four famous Shermans and the only one from the colonial era.

5. A city in northeastern Texas, located about 60 miles north of Dallas. It is the

5.nounB1
Definition

A city in northeastern Texas, located about 60 miles north of Dallas. It is the county seat of Grayson County and serves as a regional trade and manufacturing center.

Example

Sherman, Texas is located about an hour north of Dallas by car.

geographical location relative to Dallas

Eric moved to Sherman, Texas for a job at a manufacturing plant there.

Common collocations
  • north of Dallas
  • county seat
  • manufacturing center
  • Grayson County

Usage Note

To distinguish the city from the people named Sherman, the state name is almost always included: 'Sherman, Texas' or 'Sherman, TX'. The city was named after General William Tecumseh Sherman.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

William Tecumseh Sherman is one of several famous American Civil War generals, but he stands apart for his strategy of total war. Ulysses S. Grant, the Union's top commander, focused on direct battlefield attacks to wear down the Confederate army and later became U.S. president — Sherman never held political office. Robert E. Lee commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia with defensive tactics and personal leadership; his post-war image is that of a reconciler, while Sherman's is more controversial. Stonewall Jackson was known for swift, surprise attacks as a Confederate general under Lee, dying early in the war. In everyday conversation, 'Sherman' in a U.S. history class almost always refers to William Tecumseh Sherman and his March to the Sea, unlike Grant (president) or Lee (Confederate icon).

William Tecumseh ShermanUlysses S. GrantRobert E. LeeStonewall JacksonU.S. Grant

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The surname Sherman comes from the Old English words 'scearra' (shears) and 'mann' (man), originally meaning 'a man who shears cloth' — an occupational name for a wool-cutter or tailor. The name dates back to at least the 13th century in England. The four famous American Shermans are not closely related to each other; they share the surname by coincidence, though John Sherman and William Tecumseh Sherman were brothers. The city of Sherman, Texas was named after General William Tecumseh Sherman.