Good day, Madam
My name isn't Adam
I was the man
Who had two plans
The first one succeeded
The second, also needed
Did not work, and at that
A tip of my hat
To the Yanks, who completed
The work that defeated
This good man, never odd or even
Though able was I, I was not quite forgiven

Who am I?

Edit: I made a small and immaterial change to the first line of the riddle just to make it a bit more poetic. And here is a first hint to get you started (more coming soon if the riddle isn't solved):

Hint:

I am a historical figure, but you probably never heard of me.