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

**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.