Origins & Early Life

Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a Confederate general whose early actions in the American Civil War led to his appointment as the overall commander of the Confederate States Army near the end of the war. He led the Army of Northern Virginia, the Confederacy's most powerful army, from 1862 until its surrender in 1865, earning a reputation as one of the war's most skilled tacticians. A son of Revolutionary War officer Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III, of the Lee family of Virginia, Lee was a top graduate of the United States Military Academy and an exceptional officer and military engineer in the United States Army for 32 years. He served across the United States, distinguished himself during the Mexican–American War, and was Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He married Mary Anna Custis, great-granddaughter of George Washington's wife Martha. While he stated that he opposed slavery from a philosophical perspective, he supported its legality and enslaved hundreds. When Virginia declared its secession from the Union in 1861, Lee chose to follow his home state, despite his desire for the country to remain intact and an offer of a senior Union...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Giuseppe Garibaldi — Contemporary (Born in 1807) (1807): Italian general and revolutionary key figure in the Unification of Italy (Risorgimento)
• Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — Contemporary (Born in 1807) (1807): Celebrated American poet and educator, known for 'Paul Revere's Ride' and 'Hiawatha'.
• Alexandre Dumas — Contemporary (Died in 1870) (1870): Master of French adventure literature, famed for The Three Musketeers.
• Amadeo Giannini — Contemporary (Born in 1870) (1870): Pioneering American banker who founded the Bank of Italy and influenced modern finance.
• Charles Dickens — Contemporary (Died in 1870) (1870): Master of Victorian literature, Dickens's novels captured the spirit of his age.
• Abbas the Great — Shared historical date (01-19 · Died) (1629): Fifth Safavid Shah of Iran, considered one of the greatest rulers in Iranian history.
• Alexander Mack — Shared historical date (01-19 · Died) (1735): German clergyman and founder of the Schwarzenau Brethren movement.
• Aleister Crowley — Shared historical date (10-12 · Born) (1875): Founder of Thelema, a major occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician.
• Anatole France — Shared historical date (10-12 · Died) (1924): Master French writer, poet, and journalist celebrated for irony and style.
• 1807 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1807
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• 1870 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1870
• October 12 (10-12) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 12