Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

The Mythology of Robert E. Lee

—

by

Peter Galuszka
in , , , , , , ,

By Peter Galuszka

With excellent timing, the former head of the history department at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point has come out with a book about the mythology of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and much of the White “Southern” culture.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Ty Seidule, a former paratrooper, has deep Virginia roots and his analysis goes right to the heart of the problems plaguing Virginia, Civil War memorabilia, Richmond, Charlottesville, the Virginia Military Institute and more.

He grew up in Alexandria and had ties to the Episcopal prep school where he expanded his desire to be a “Southern” gentleman while worshipping the likes of Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

Here’s a link to my review of his book in Richmond’s Style Weekly. The Post also reviewed the book this past Sunday.

Share this article

ADVERTISEMENT

(comments below)

ADVERTISEMENT

(comments below)

Comments

61 responses to “The Mythology of Robert E. Lee”

  1. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Ha ha

    1. Nancy_Naive Avatar
      Nancy_Naive

      Romanticism of the white nationalist.

  2. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Bill,
    I am no expert on Lee but I have read books about him. This is a simple book review. I really did like a bio of Stonewall by the late VT Prof. Robertson.
    When I was in college, I worked summers and other breaks at a little newspaper in coastal North Carolina. I was rummaging through the local library and found the actual diary of a Union Navy officer who had been assigned to seize the town to keep it from getting foreign arms shipments. It was fascinating — the locals welcomed the Union with open arms. I wrote a series of stories about it and greatly pissed off the local gentry.

    1. Nancy_Naive Avatar
      Nancy_Naive

      With luck, it will be resolved this week that it won’t take 150 years to regret naming a submarine for an insurgent.

    2. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      ” I really did like a bio of Stonewall by the late VT Prof. Robertson.”

      That is a good biography. I thought Prof. Robertson did a good job covering his weaknesses and faults as well as his virtues and abilities.

    3. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      I agree that Robertson’s biography of Jackson is a good one. Particularly strong is his use of primary materials such as letters and diaries of Confederate soldiers. I have to post a warning, however. The book goes into much detail, excruciating detail, it seems, at time. It seemed that he narrated every mile of Jackson’s march from the Valley to participate in the Seven Days’ Battles. I didn’t think he would ever get to Richmond and then through Hanover!

  3. DLunsford Avatar
    DLunsford

    From the Style Weekly review:
    “When he [Seidule] started his classes, he had a moment of clarity: “Why were there so many memorials to Lee at West Point?”
    Seriously? Before the unpleasantness of 1861, Lee was the 9th Superintendent at West Point (1852 to 1855). And while a student there (Class of 1829), graduated second in his class.

    1. kls59 Avatar
      kls59

      RE Lee also graduated with NO demerits…. only one of two cadets I believe. The other spent his first three years at Oxford

      1. Nancy_Naive Avatar
        Nancy_Naive

        Proving once and for all that 1 aw shucks wipes out 1000 attaboys!

  4. James Wyatt Whitehead V Avatar
    James Wyatt Whitehead V

    Yawn! This type of book has been done many times. Alan Nolan was the first: Lee Reconsidered from 25 years ago. Most modern historians fail to add something new to the conversation. Nolan did write a spectacular book on the Iron Brigade at Brawners Farm: Brave Men’s Tears.
    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/450476.Lee_Considered

  5. Steve Haner Avatar
    Steve Haner

    Nothing to see here, people. This book’s been done before and I read it more than 40 years ago….still have it.
    https://www.amazon.com/Marble-Man-Robert-American-Society/dp/0807104744

    It is interesting that re-write after re-write of American Civil War history continues to be published and sell, as hard as some try to suppress any attention to it…..

  6. Steve Haner Avatar
    Steve Haner

    Nothing to see here, people. This book’s been done before and I read it more than 40 years ago….still have it.
    https://www.amazon.com/Marble-Man-Robert-American-Society/dp/0807104744

    It is interesting that re-write after re-write of American Civil War history continues to be published and sell, as hard as some try to suppress any attention to it…..

  7. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Ha ha

    1. Nancy_Naive Avatar
      Nancy_Naive

      Romanticism of the white nationalist.

      1. kls59 Avatar
        kls59

        Are you talking about Robert E. Lee or Jason Kamras from the other post?

  8. Bill O'Keefe Avatar
    Bill O’Keefe

    One book by a former flag officer with a PhD does not mean that his characterization of Lee is without flaws. Your review suggests that the book is more about the use of Lee’s memory by the Lost Cause cult than about the man himself.
    Have you read many books about Lee? When he resigned his commission and turned down becoming commander of union forces, he said that he would not take up his sword against his country. That is an important point because citizens in most states, certainly in the south considered them to be countries that willingly and voluntarily joined the union in accepting and ratifying the Constitution. I don’t agree with Lee’s decision but I understand it.
    If you have not already, read President Eisenhower’s 1960 letter about Lee. In part it says, “General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause which until 1865 was still an arguable question in America; he was a poised and inspiring leader, true to the high trust reposed in him by millions of his fellow citizens; he was thoughtful yet demanding of his officers and men, forbearing with captured enemies but ingenious, unrelenting and personally courageous in battle, and never disheartened by a reverse or obstacle. Through all his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history. …to the degree that present-day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities, including his devotion to this land as revealed in his painstaking efforts to help heal the Nation’s wounds once the bitter struggle was over, we, in our own time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.”

    1. Steve Haner Avatar
      Steve Haner

      I still expect the W&L board to rename the school (which is their right), and I passed by the statue on Monument yesterday and the removal seems imminent.

      1. Bill O'Keefe Avatar
        Bill O’Keefe

        I agree with you although it is very unfortunate that the Cancel Culture is so forceful. No one has given much thought to the unintended consequences, although there will be.
        When the name changes is when I no longer donate to it.

  9. Bill O'Keefe Avatar
    Bill O’Keefe

    One book by a former flag officer with a PhD does not mean that his characterization of Lee is without flaws. Your review suggests that the book is more about the use of Lee’s memory by the Lost Cause cult than about the man himself.
    Have you read many books about Lee? When he resigned his commission and turned down becoming commander of union forces, he said that he would not take up his sword against his country. That is an important point because citizens in most states, certainly in the south considered them to be countries that willingly and voluntarily joined the union in accepting and ratifying the Constitution. I don’t agree with Lee’s decision but I understand it.
    If you have not already, read President Eisenhower’s 1960 letter about Lee. In part it says, “General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause which until 1865 was still an arguable question in America; he was a poised and inspiring leader, true to the high trust reposed in him by millions of his fellow citizens; he was thoughtful yet demanding of his officers and men, forbearing with captured enemies but ingenious, unrelenting and personally courageous in battle, and never disheartened by a reverse or obstacle. Through all his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history. …to the degree that present-day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities, including his devotion to this land as revealed in his painstaking efforts to help heal the Nation’s wounds once the bitter struggle was over, we, in our own time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.”

    1. Steve Haner Avatar
      Steve Haner

      I still expect the W&L board to rename the school (which is their right), and I passed by the statue on Monument yesterday and the removal seems imminent.

  10. djrippert Avatar
    djrippert

    Unsurprising that an Alexandrian is engaged in re-educating Virginia’s plantation elite. The mischaracterizations and outright lies used by many in this state to mythologize the so-called “Lost Cause” are disgraceful and need to be squashed like a June bug. Seidule is certainly right that a large number of Virginians opposed succession. West Virginia split and Fairfax and Henrico counties both voted “no” twice to calls for succession. Many native Virginians in military service decided to fight with the Union. As far as heroic, Northam’s home area of Virginia’s Eastern Shore surrendered to Union occupation at the state of the war without a shot being fired.

    It’s time the myth of “The Lost Cause” is purged forever from Virginia.

  11. djrippert Avatar
    djrippert

    Unsurprising that an Alexandrian is engaged in re-educating Virginia’s plantation elite. The mischaracterizations and outright lies used by many in this state to mythologize the so-called “Lost Cause” are disgraceful and need to be squashed like a June bug. Seidule is certainly right that a large number of Virginians opposed succession. West Virginia split and Fairfax and Henrico counties both voted “no” twice to calls for succession. Many native Virginians in military service decided to fight with the Union. As far as heroic, Northam’s home area of Virginia’s Eastern Shore surrendered to Union occupation at the state of the war without a shot being fired.

    It’s time the myth of “The Lost Cause” is purged forever from Virginia.

  12. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Bill,
    I am no expert on Lee but I have read books about him. This is a simple book review. I really did like a bio of Stonewall by the late VT Prof. Robertson.
    When I was in college, I worked summers and other breaks at a little newspaper in coastal North Carolina. I was rummaging through the local library and found the actual diary of a Union Navy officer who had been assigned to seize the town to keep it from getting foreign arms shipments. It was fascinating — the locals welcomed the Union with open arms. I wrote a series of stories about it and greatly pissed off the local gentry.

    1. WayneS Avatar
      WayneS

      ” I really did like a bio of Stonewall by the late VT Prof. Robertson.”

      That is a good biography. I thought Prof. Robertson did a good job covering his weaknesses and faults as well as his virtues and abilities.

    2. Bill O'Keefe Avatar
      Bill O’Keefe

      A few other interesting facts are that Robert E Lee had a ballistic missile nuclear submarine named after him as well as an Army tank, and he appeared on the 30 cent stamp. Very unusaula for someone who is now demonized and called a traitor.

      1. kls59 Avatar
        kls59

        Bill; you should see the photos of the December 18, 1959 dedication/launching of the SSB(N) 601 and the program….

    3. Nancy_Naive Avatar
      Nancy_Naive

      With luck, it will be resolved this week that it won’t take 150 years to regret naming a submarine for an insurgent.

    4. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
      Dick Hall-Sizemore

      I agree that Robertson’s biography of Jackson is a good one. Particularly strong is his use of primary materials such as letters and diaries of Confederate soldiers. I have to post a warning, however. The book goes into much detail, excruciating detail, it seems, at time. It seemed that he narrated every mile of Jackson’s march from the Valley to participate in the Seven Days’ Battles. I didn’t think he would ever get to Richmond and then through Hanover!

  13. Anonymous_Bosch Avatar
    Anonymous_Bosch

    When the United States is history, Lee will be studied like Hannibal is studied today. We don’t moralize great military leaders who we don’t feel a personal historical or cultural connection with. Lee’s place among the great American military personalities is secure, unlike that of the individuals who are supposedly offended by and morally superior (for the moment) to him. But hey, if Savonarola can get a statue, then there will always be hope for the Northams and Mayor Stoneys of this world.

    1. djrippert Avatar
      djrippert

      I personally don’t think that Lee himself was or is the problem. Lee didn’t want statues commemorating the Confederacy or his role in it. It was the people who came after Lee in the South who caused the problems. The people who built the statues. The people who enacted the Jim Crow laws. Those are the people who venerated Lee and conjured up The Lost Cause hallucination.

      George Thomas was a Virginian through and through. He was also a brilliant general who fought for the Union. Where is his statue in Richmond? What’s obvious is that the people who built those statues in Richmond back in the day weren’t venerating Virginia or Richmond or the US Civil War. They were venerating the Confederacy. And that’s just wrong.

      1. WayneS Avatar
        WayneS

        Maybe they could rename the Lee statue the Thomas statue and leave it in place…

        1. djrippert Avatar
          djrippert

          Well the statue of Robert E Lee in the US Capitol was allowed only so long as Lee was depicted in his US Army uniform, not the Confederate uniform. Perhaps some paint on the Lee statue could transform it into a statue of George Thomas. However, George Thomas owned slaves so maybe not. But, then again, Thomas taught 15 of his slaves to read which was against Virginia law. So, maybe so.

          Funny how complicated the actual US Civil War really was.

          Up this way the exploits of Confederate commando John S Mosby are the stuff of legend. After the war Mosby ran US Grant’s presidential campaign in Virginia. He also fiercely defended the skill of J.E.B. Stuart who was accused, by some believers in “The Lost Cause” of having lost the Battle of Gettsyburg.

          In 1894, Mosby wrote to a former comrade regarding the cause of the war, stating: “I’ve always understood that we went to war on account of the thing we quarreled with the North about. I’ve never heard of any other cause than slavery.”

      2. LarrytheG Avatar
        LarrytheG

        I agree. It’s taken several years just for folks to finally recognize the difference between a Jim Crow monument and a monument not associated with Jim Crow and the lost cause.

        I always respected Lee but I thought the Jim Crow folks damaged his memory by clinging to him as their hero – and that left others with having to choose whether they would hold him up as a hero of “what” – the Lost Cause?

      3. WayneS Avatar
        WayneS

        I just looked up some pictures of Gen. Thomas. He’s not exactly Robert E. Lee’s twin or anything, but neither do they look completely dissimilar.

        I think the statue could pass for Gen. Thomas, especially if we all agreed it was Gen Thomas…

        1. Matt Adams Avatar
          Matt Adams

          I believe that if we can get the statue to identify as Gen. Thomas we’d be good to go.

  14. Anonymous_Bosch Avatar
    Anonymous_Bosch

    When the United States is history, Lee will be studied like Hannibal is studied today. We don’t moralize great military leaders who we don’t feel a personal historical or cultural connection with. Lee’s place among the great American military personalities is secure, unlike that of the individuals who are supposedly offended by and morally superior (for the moment) to him. But hey, if Savonarola can get a statue, then there will always be hope for the Northams and Mayor Stoneys of this world.

    1. djrippert Avatar
      djrippert

      I personally don’t think that Lee himself was or is the problem. Lee didn’t want statues commemorating the Confederacy or his role in it. It was the people who came after Lee in the South who caused the problems. The people who built the statues. The people who enacted the Jim Crow laws. Those are the people who venerated Lee and conjured up The Lost Cause hallucination.

      George Thomas was a Virginian through and through. He was also a brilliant general who fought for the Union. Where is his statue in Richmond? What’s obvious is that the people who built those statues in Richmond back in the day weren’t venerating Virginia or Richmond or the US Civil War. They were venerating the Confederacy. And that’s just wrong.

  15. DLunsford Avatar
    DLunsford

    From the Style Weekly review:
    “When he [Seidule] started his classes, he had a moment of clarity: “Why were there so many memorials to Lee at West Point?”
    Seriously? Before the unpleasantness of 1861, Lee was the 9th Superintendent at West Point (1852 to 1855). And while a student there (Class of 1829), graduated second in his class.

    1. kls59 Avatar
      kls59

      RE Lee also graduated with NO demerits…. only one of two cadets I believe. The other spent his first three years at Oxford

      1. Nancy_Naive Avatar
        Nancy_Naive

        Proving once and for all that 1 aw shucks wipes out 1000 attaboys!

  16. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    I did not have space in my review, but if you read seidule’s book you will find he has a lengthy explanation of Lee at West Point and the ramifications of his being a Confederate general. Hey, I only got 800 words!

  17. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    I did not have space in my review, but if you read seidule’s book you will find he has a lengthy explanation of Lee at West Point and the ramifications of his being a Confederate general. Hey, I only got 800 words!

  18. David Bither Avatar
    David Bither

    The cancel cultists adopted the tactics employed by the terrorist group ISIS as their feral mobs destroyed statues. And they did it for the same reasons: They only accept knee bending and regard free expression as sacrilege. The left claims to sole possession of morality and judge harshly any that genuflect to the revisionist history of wokeism.

    The hatred for Lee and Jackson is rooted in the knowledge that they were both better men and accomplished much more than any of the BLM, Antifa, and SJW rioters that sit in judgement. These men served their country and were highly decorated for their heroism, stalwart leadership, and dedication to American values.

    The elites and wokesters that believe they are our betters, wouldn’t dream of serving in the military and putting their lives in harm’s way for their country. They fall to pieces with a weak cell phone signal or don’t get enough “likes” on social media.

    They tear down memorials to Washington, Lincoln, as well as Lee and erect them to career criminals on fentanyl that die while violently resisting arrest for outlaw behavior.

    The bottom line is they want to destroy the celebration of heroism for that represents a standard the feral mobs know they can never meet.

    1. Steve Haner Avatar
      Steve Haner

      Lee’s story is much like that of Frederick Douglass, previously mentioned. Both need to live in our memories. To understand the times you need to know the people, their lives and interactions. Statues gone, Lost Cause forgotten, Lee and his accomplishments will live on. Nobody debates (here anyway) Napoleon’s views on slavery or race, but even with today’s new weapons, understanding the tactics behind Nappy’s string of victories, and Lee’s brilliant defense of that 100 mile stretch from DeeCee to Richmond, will be important to future military leaders. And Lee’s example of, in a word, submission to the war’s outcome played a huge role in healing. Whatever IT is, the man had it.

      There is a bond between soldiers, something I cannot share. I wasn’t there, but my brother went to Germany with my dad late in his life and the old guy had a wonderful day talking to a Luftwaffe survivor. The kids tried to pull them apart but the old soldiers (airmen?) were having a ball remembering back 50 years.

    2. Anonymous_Bosch Avatar
      Anonymous_Bosch

      I think Mao’s Cultural Revolution is a better comparison, seeing as how we are dealing with leftist ideology. However, Mao was less cowardly than his current culturally contemptuous counterparts. He didn’t resort to a Twitter mob to accomplish his “cancellations”.

    3. Nancy_Naive Avatar
      Nancy_Naive

      Cancel cultists? As opposed to the cult of no consequences?

      1. Anonymous_Bosch Avatar
        Anonymous_Bosch

        Your cult, my Religion. When politics replaces religion, call it what it is.

  19. David Bither Avatar
    David Bither

    The cancel cultists adopted the tactics employed by the terrorist group ISIS as their feral mobs destroyed statues. And they did it for the same reasons: They only accept knee bending and regard free expression as sacrilege. The left claims to sole possession of morality and judge harshly any that genuflect to the revisionist history of wokeism.

    The hatred for Lee and Jackson is rooted in the knowledge that they were both better men and accomplished much more than any of the BLM, Antifa, and SJW rioters that sit in judgement. These men served their country and were highly decorated for their heroism, stalwart leadership, and dedication to American values.

    The elites and wokesters that believe they are our betters, wouldn’t dream of serving in the military and putting their lives in harm’s way for their country. They fall to pieces with a weak cell phone signal or don’t get enough “likes” on social media.

    They tear down memorials to Washington, Lincoln, as well as Lee and erect them to career criminals on fentanyl that die while violently resisting arrest for outlaw behavior.

    The bottom line is they want to destroy the celebration of heroism for that represents a standard the feral mobs know they can never meet.

    1. Steve Haner Avatar
      Steve Haner

      Lee’s story is much like that of Frederick Douglass, previously mentioned. Both need to live in our memories. To understand the times you need to know the people, their lives and interactions. Statues gone, Lost Cause forgotten, Lee and his accomplishments will live on. Nobody debates (here anyway) Napoleon’s views on slavery or race, but even with today’s new weapons, understanding the tactics behind Nappy’s string of victories, and Lee’s brilliant defense of that 100 mile stretch from DeeCee to Richmond, will be important to future military leaders. And Lee’s example of, in a word, submission to the war’s outcome played a huge role in healing. Whatever IT is, the man had it.

      There is a bond between soldiers, something I cannot share. I wasn’t there, but my brother went to Germany with my dad late in his life and the old guy had a wonderful day talking to a Luftwaffe survivor. The kids tried to pull them apart but the old soldiers (airmen?) were having a ball remembering back 50 years.

    2. Anonymous_Bosch Avatar
      Anonymous_Bosch

      I think Mao’s Cultural Revolution is a better comparison, seeing as how we are dealing with leftist ideology. However, Mao was less cowardly than his current culturally contemptuous counterparts. He didn’t resort to a Twitter mob to accomplish his “cancellations”.

    3. Nancy_Naive Avatar
      Nancy_Naive

      Cancel cultists? As opposed to the cult of no consequences?

      1. Anonymous_Bosch Avatar
        Anonymous_Bosch

        Your cult, my Religion. When politics replaces religion, call it what it is.

  20. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Sucking up to Lee! Mr. Bither, I reported and edited about the fall of the Soviet Union. Many statues fell. Good riddance. But the same ideals came back. Just like with Trump.

  21. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Sucking up to Lee! Mr. Bither, I reported and edited about the fall of the Soviet Union. Many statues fell. Good riddance. But the same ideals came back. Just like with Trump.

  22. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Sorry, Steve. I posted too quickly. No disrespect for your Dad.

    1. Steve Haner Avatar
      Steve Haner

      ?? Didn’t sense any…

  23. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    Sorry, Steve. I posted too quickly. No disrespect for your Dad.

    1. Steve Haner Avatar
      Steve Haner

      ?? Didn’t sense any…

  24. James Wyatt Whitehead V Avatar
    James Wyatt Whitehead V

    Yawn! This type of book has been done many times. Alan Nolan was the first: Lee Reconsidered from 25 years ago. Most modern historians fail to add something new to the conversation. Nolan did write a spectacular book on the Iron Brigade at Brawners Farm: Brave Men’s Tears.
    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/450476.Lee_Considered

  25. Bill O'Keefe Avatar
    Bill O’Keefe

    It is ironic that the faculty of W&L is now asking the university to remove Lee’s name because “he does not represent who we are and who we want to be.” Well, that is curious and shows that the faculty has bought into the Cancel Culture.

    The character of Robert E Lee has been lost in the sea of distortions, recriminations, and claims that anyone who fought as a confederate is undeserving of any positive recognition. This overlooks the fact that Lee was pardoned and had his full citizenship restored. Once a debt to society is paid, the slate is supposed to be wiped clean, especially since Lee used his influence to urge soldiers to lay down their arms and to dissuade them from pursuing guerilla war against the North. He was an advocate for healing.

    So, let’s look at the qualities that lead to the conclusion, Lee”does not represent who W&L is and wants to be? Lee distinguished himself at West Point where he graduated with no demerits. An accomplishment that has not been duplicated since. His known as possessing great self-discipline and deep religious convictions. When Lee became President, W&L was on the verge of bankruptcy which he proceeded to reverse. During his tenure at W&L made a commitment to build the character of students. He told incoming students that there was only one rule and that was to be a gentleman. What does that mean? Here is part of his definition: “The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman. … The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled when he cannot help humbling others.”

  26. Bill O'Keefe Avatar
    Bill O’Keefe

    It is ironic that the faculty of W&L is now asking the university to remove Lee’s name because “he does not represent who we are and who we want to be.” Well, that is curious and shows that the faculty has bought into the Cancel Culture.

    The character of Robert E Lee has been lost in the sea of distortions, recriminations, and claims that anyone who fought as a confederate is undeserving of any positive recognition. This overlooks the fact that Lee was pardoned and had his full citizenship restored. Once a debt to society is paid, the slate is supposed to be wiped clean, especially since Lee used his influence to urge soldiers to lay down their arms and to dissuade them from pursuing guerilla war against the North. He was an advocate for healing.

    So, let’s look at the qualities that lead to the conclusion, Lee“does not represent who W&L is and wants to be? Lee distinguished himself at West Point where he graduated with no demerits. An accomplishment that has not been duplicated since. His known as possessing great self-discipline and deep religious convictions. When Lee became President, W&L was on the verge of bankruptcy which he proceeded to reverse. During his tenure at W&L made a commitment to build the character of students. He told incoming students that there was only one rule and that was to be a gentleman. What does that mean? Here is part of his definition: “The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman. … The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled when he cannot help humbling others.”

Leave a Reply

Read More