Ambrose Everett Burnside was an American soldier and politician who served as a Union Army general during the American Civil War. Besides his own name, a range of synonyms can be associated with Burnside, such as commander, officer, military leader, statesman, and public figure. As a general, he was known for his distinctive sideburns, which earned him the nickname "sideburns." Burnside also became a well-known personality because of his remarkable fashion sense and choice of clothing, particularly his unconventional hat and coat that were named after him as "burnsides." His contributions to the Union Army and his political career have made Ambrose Everett Burnside an important figure in American history.