* Born: January 19, 1807, Stratford Hall, Virginia
* Died: October 12, 1870, Lexington, Virginia
* Parents: Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee III and Anne Hill Carter Lee
* Siblings: Two brothers, Carter and Smith, and a sister, Mildred
Early Life and Education
* Robert E. Lee was born into a prominent Virginia family, the Lees of Stratford Hall. His father, Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee III, was a distinguished cavalry officer during the American Revolution and later served as governor of Virginia. Lee's mother, Anne Hill Carter Lee, was a member of the prominent Carter family of Virginia.
* Lee was educated at home and at private schools in Virginia. In 1825, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated second in his class in 1829.
* After graduating from West Point, Lee served in the United States Army for nearly 32 years. He served in the engineer corps and saw action in the Mexican-American War. He also served as superintendent of the United States Military Academy from 1852 to 1855.
Civil War Service
* At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Lee was offered command of the Union army, but he declined because he believed that his allegiance was to Virginia, not to the federal government.
* Lee joined the Confederate Army and was appointed commander of the Army of Northern Virginia in June 1862. He led the Army of Northern Virginia to victory in several major battles, including the Second Battle of Manassas and the Battle of Chancellorsville.
* However, Lee's army was defeated by the Union Army in the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. This was a turning point in the war, and Lee's army was never able to recover.
* Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, ending the Civil War.
After the Civil War
* After the war, Lee returned to Virginia and became the president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia.
* He served as president of Washington College until his death in 1870.
Legacy
* Robert E. Lee is considered one of the greatest generals in American history. He is also remembered as a man of honor, integrity, and courage.
* However, Lee's legacy is also controversial because he fought for the Confederate cause, which supported slavery.