Robert Edward Lee
- Born:
- January 19, 1807, Stratford Hall Plantation, Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States
- Died:
- October 12, 1870, Lexington, Virginia, United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Military Officer, Confederate General
Early Life and Education
- Born into a prominent Virginia family; son of Revolutionary War hero Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee III.
- Attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating second in his class in 1829.
- Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.
Career and Major Achievements
- Served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, participating in the Mexican-American War and various engineering projects.
- Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1852 to 1855.
- In 1861, resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and accepted command of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.
- Led the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the American Civil War, achieving significant victories, including the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Chancellorsville.
- Surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
- Served as president of Washington College (later Washington and Lee University) from 1865 until his death.
Legacy and Impact
Robert E. Lee remains a controversial figure in American history. While revered by some for his military leadership and post-war reconciliation efforts, he is also criticized for leading the Confederate Army, fighting to preserve slavery, and his documented views; understanding the context of "quotes of robert e lee on slavery" requires examining his evolving stance and the historical environment in which he lived. His legacy is complex, encompassing military prowess, devotion to duty as he saw it, and association with the institution of slavery.