Biography
Overview
Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) was the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. A West Point graduate, he faced a profound personal crisis in 1861 when Virginia seceded, choosing loyalty to his home state over a command offer from the Union. As a general, Lee became renowned for audacious tactical maneuvers and the ability to outmaneuver opponents, achieving victories at Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg.
However, his aggressive strategy eventually met its limits against the superior resources and persistence of the Union. After the war, he promoted reconciliation and led Washington College. His legacy remains extraordinarily polarizing, admired by some for his character and military skill, but condemned by others for his dedication to a cause built on human bondage. He remains a central, controversial figure in the American historical narrative.
Robert E. Lee’s world, year by year
18071870
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Dated facts
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- 1807Robert Edward Lee was born on January 19, 1807, at Stratford Hall Plantation in Westmoreland County, Virginia, son of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III.
- 1825He entered West Point in 1825, graduated second in his class, and married Mary Anna Custis at Arlington House on June 30, 1831.
- 1852He distinguished himself in the Mexican–American War and was appointed Superintendent of the Military Academy at West Point in 1852.
- 1861When Virginia seceded in 1861, he declined a senior Union command and sent his resignation from the U.S. Army on April 20.
- 1862He took command of the Army of Northern Virginia in June 1862 after Joseph E. Johnston was wounded at Seven Pines.
- 1863After victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, he was decisively defeated at Gettysburg in early July 1863.
- 1865He surrendered his army to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
- 1865He was president of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, from October 1865, and died in Lexington of pneumonia on October 12, 1870.
Alive at the same time
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Wars during this life
- Seminole Wars
- Musket Wars
- South American Wars of Independence
- Mfecane (The Crushing)
- French Conquest of Algeria
- Nien Rebellion
Sources
Primary works and follow-on reading.
Primary Sources
- Official Records of the War of the Rebellion
- Correspondence and General Orders
- Reference profile for Robert E. Lee
Further Reading
- Grant and Lee: A Study in Personality and Generalship - J.F.C. Fuller
- Robert E. Lee: A Biography - Emory M. Thomas
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Robert E. Lee.
Who was Robert E. Lee?
Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) was the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. A West Point graduate, he faced a profound personal crisis in 1861 when Virginia seceded, choosing loyalty to his home state over a command offer from the Union. As a general, Lee became renowned for audacious tactical maneuvers and the ability to outmaneuver opponents, achieving victories at Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. However, his aggressive strategy eventually met its limits against the superior resources and persistence of the Union. After the war, he promoted reconciliation and led Washington College. His legacy remains extraordinarily polarizing, admired by some for his character and military skill, but condemned by others for his dedication to a cause built on human bondage. He remains a central, controversial figure in the American historical narrative.
What was Robert E. Lee best known for?
Robert E. Lee is best known as a warrior. Confederate general noted for operational maneuver in the American Civil War; a figure of enduring controversy.
When did Robert E. Lee live?
Robert E. Lee lived 1807-1870 CE, born in 1807 and died in 1870, during the modern period.
Can I chat with an AI version of Robert E. Lee?
Yes, free. Anyone can ask Robert E. Lee, and a first question needs no account. Every answer is a Simulation in character, grounded in Robert E. Lee’s real life, work and era. A good first question is: "How did you make decisions when you lacked complete information about the enemy?"
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