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The Lees of Virginia: Seven Generations of an American Family
Whether opposing Nathaniel Bacon and his Rebels in 1676, or condemning English colonial policy in 1776, or turning back the Union Army at the Seven Days' battles of 1862, the descendants of Richard and Anne Lee have occupied a preeminent place in American history. They were among the first
families of Virginia. Two were signers of the Declaration of Independence and several others distinguished themselves during the Revolutionary War. And one, Robert E. Lee, remains widely admired for his lofty character and military success.
In The Lees of Virginia , Paul Nagel chronicles seven generations of Lees, from the family founder Richard to General Robert E. Lee, covering over two hundred years of American history. We meet Thomas Lee, who dreamed of America as a continental empire. His daughter was Hannah Lee Corbin, a
non-conformist in lifestyle and religion, while his son, Richard Henry Lee, was a tempestuous figure who wore black silk over a disfigured hand when he made the motion in Congress for Independence. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur Lee, created a political storm by his accusations against Benjamin
Franklin. Arthur's cousin was Light-Horse Harry Lee, a controversial cavalry officer in the Revolutionary War, whose wild real estate speculation led to imprisonment for debt and finally self-exile in the Caribbean. One of Harry's sons, Henry Lee, further disgraced the family by seducing his
sister-in-law and frittering away Stratford, the Lees' ancestral home. Another son, however, became the family's redeeming figure--Robert E. Lee, a brilliant tactician whose ruling motto was self-denial and who saw God's hand in all things. In these and numerous other portraits, Nagel discloses how,
from 1640 to 1870, a family spirit united the Lees, making them a force in Virginian and American affairs.
Paul Nagel is a leading chronicler of families prominent in our history. His Descent from Glory , a masterful narrative account of four generations of Adamses, was a Book-of-the-Month Club main selection and a brilliant critical and popular success. The New Yorker hailed it as "intelligent,
tactful, and spiritually generous," and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian W.A. Swanberg, in the Chicago Sun-Times , called it "a magnificent embarrassment of biographical riches." Now, in The Lees of Virginia , Nagel brings his skills to bear on another major American family, taking readers inside the
great estates of the Old Dominion and the turbulent lives of the Lee men and women.
families of Virginia. Two were signers of the Declaration of Independence and several others distinguished themselves during the Revolutionary War. And one, Robert E. Lee, remains widely admired for his lofty character and military success.
In The Lees of Virginia , Paul Nagel chronicles seven generations of Lees, from the family founder Richard to General Robert E. Lee, covering over two hundred years of American history. We meet Thomas Lee, who dreamed of America as a continental empire. His daughter was Hannah Lee Corbin, a
non-conformist in lifestyle and religion, while his son, Richard Henry Lee, was a tempestuous figure who wore black silk over a disfigured hand when he made the motion in Congress for Independence. Another of Thomas' sons, Arthur Lee, created a political storm by his accusations against Benjamin
Franklin. Arthur's cousin was Light-Horse Harry Lee, a controversial cavalry officer in the Revolutionary War, whose wild real estate speculation led to imprisonment for debt and finally self-exile in the Caribbean. One of Harry's sons, Henry Lee, further disgraced the family by seducing his
sister-in-law and frittering away Stratford, the Lees' ancestral home. Another son, however, became the family's redeeming figure--Robert E. Lee, a brilliant tactician whose ruling motto was self-denial and who saw God's hand in all things. In these and numerous other portraits, Nagel discloses how,
from 1640 to 1870, a family spirit united the Lees, making them a force in Virginian and American affairs.
Paul Nagel is a leading chronicler of families prominent in our history. His Descent from Glory , a masterful narrative account of four generations of Adamses, was a Book-of-the-Month Club main selection and a brilliant critical and popular success. The New Yorker hailed it as "intelligent,
tactful, and spiritually generous," and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian W.A. Swanberg, in the Chicago Sun-Times , called it "a magnificent embarrassment of biographical riches." Now, in The Lees of Virginia , Nagel brings his skills to bear on another major American family, taking readers inside the
great estates of the Old Dominion and the turbulent lives of the Lee men and women.
332 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 18, 2025
'The Lees of Virginia' was a well-written and absorbing account of the Lee family history in Virginia from roughly 1640 to 1870, so 230 years or seven generations as the subtitle says. So roughly 32 years per generation. Anyway, it ends with Robert E. of CSA fame and begins with Richard Lee (b. 1618 in England) who arrived in either 1639 or 1640 at Jamestown. If genealogies and disbursements of final wills are boring to you this book might be excruciating but they are essential to understanding how things played out. The Lee family might contain no more nor less of the range of human foibles than many others but their influence on early Virginia is undeniable. Overall it seems to be a pretty even-handed account with neither outlandish praise or excoriation based on 'modern' outlooks. These people were products of their times and very few of any generation are able to somehow act outside that world. The book presents two major 'lines' within the Lee family, the so-called 'Stratford' (Thomas Lee) and 'Leesylvania' (Henry Lee) lines. The women of the Lee family and the various spouses are given ample coverage and they are at least as admirable (and occasionally the opposite) as the men. It does get confusing at times with all the repeat names across generations and one will be consulting the genealogical charts and map frequently. Going in I had only a faint notion of their prolonged influence on early Virginia and hence American history. Two (Richard Henry and Harry 'Lightfoot') were signers of the Declaration of Independence (the only brothers who did) and Richard Henry penned the so called Lee Resolution, aka "The Resolution for Independence", which was the formal assertion of freedom from Great Britain passed by the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. Apparently Richard Henry expected to be asked to write the formal declaration but the task was given to a younger guy named Thomas Jefferson instead. The Lees owned (and lost) vast swathes of land and estates in those many years, several of which can be visited today, I must go one day!
A fine epilogue discusses and explains the elevation of Robert E. to that hero of the CSA that he became, notably at the 100th anniversary of the his birth in 1907. Ironically, it was a northerner (and Union Civil War veteran), Charles Francis Adams, Jr. (grandson of John Quincy) who delivered a powerful eulogy at that event held at Washington & Lee College, that was seen as instrumental in the rehabilitation of Lee in the North and the near deification of Lee in the much of the South in the 20th century. Lee is seen by Adams to personify the some the finest tendencies in human nature in spite of the flaws that we are forced to perceive as fatal today. I suppose we have left that behind, with the removal of the famous Lee statue in Richmond in 2021 which is sort of a pity, as the famous writer Henry James wrote eloquently of the statue after a visit in 1905. Overall 3.5 stars rounded up.
A fine epilogue discusses and explains the elevation of Robert E. to that hero of the CSA that he became, notably at the 100th anniversary of the his birth in 1907. Ironically, it was a northerner (and Union Civil War veteran), Charles Francis Adams, Jr. (grandson of John Quincy) who delivered a powerful eulogy at that event held at Washington & Lee College, that was seen as instrumental in the rehabilitation of Lee in the North and the near deification of Lee in the much of the South in the 20th century. Lee is seen by Adams to personify the some the finest tendencies in human nature in spite of the flaws that we are forced to perceive as fatal today. I suppose we have left that behind, with the removal of the famous Lee statue in Richmond in 2021 which is sort of a pity, as the famous writer Henry James wrote eloquently of the statue after a visit in 1905. Overall 3.5 stars rounded up.
February 9, 2014
This is about several generations of Lees up to General Lee. It is a genealogists paradise combined with great stories,history and british and new World traditions.
September 6, 2017
A very fascinating account of one of America's most influential families from the time of the American Revolution through the Civil War. Tales of brilliance and brokenness. Honor and valor co-mingled with melancholy and depression. Self-sacrifice in one, avarice in other. The linage includes scholars, soldiers, politicians, gentleman farmers, and statesmen. From significant wealth to bankruptcy. You will be impressed with the thread of piety in many of the family and the exceptional role of wives who were much more than ballast for the fast-sailing careers of of their mates; bright, articulate, pious, courageous, and resolute, especially through the sadness of broken health, loneliness and death.
All in all, this is a remarkable study of trans-generational character traits and the positive versus negative influence of growing up within the powerful sphere of a leading American family. Quite the legacy.
All in all, this is a remarkable study of trans-generational character traits and the positive versus negative influence of growing up within the powerful sphere of a leading American family. Quite the legacy.
October 26, 2020
This was such a good book I really enjoyed it. Robert E Lee is my fifth cousin on my dads side of the family so I felt like I was reading about a family member though many years ago. It was a fascinating history of the Lee family in Virginia from the 1600 through Robert E Lee. The last four chapters are about him. I would highly recommend to anyone who loves history as I do.
April 9, 2024
Should have guessed from the title, but much more of a family biography with who’s who in the Lee zoo. Lots of fun little tidbits but little information that seems groundbreaking or awe inspiring. Generally just a normal dysfunctional functional family
January 10, 2021
Accurate and up to date on current genealogical research.
July 22, 2025
Didn't think Henry Lee the III was that bad...wish there was more Thomas Ludwell Lee :(
January 17, 2023
interesting historical account of the Lee family.
March 31, 2013
Not a bad book. Nothing earth shattering. A good overview.
A couple things struck me:
1. The author takes great pains to bring "Light Horse" Harry Lee down to earth, spending alot of time on his financial troubles, his treatment of his wife and children, and even calling into question the usually acknowledged excellence of his military service. He often criticizes Lee's well known flaws without presenting any contravening information. Conversely, when talking about areas in which it is usually acknowledged Lee excelled the author would take great pains to try and develop caveats to almost all of it. In some cases this becomes very strained and not entirely believable.
2. The authors treatment of Harry Lee's son Robert E. Lee however, borders on the hagiographic. There is much to criticize in Robert E. Lee's life, including his military judgment, but little of that was presented.
Disappointing that with the large number of quotations used throughtout the text the author didn't believe footnotes would be helpful. A real lack in my opinion.
Despite that however, the book is well worth a read if the Lee family is of interest to you.
A couple things struck me:
1. The author takes great pains to bring "Light Horse" Harry Lee down to earth, spending alot of time on his financial troubles, his treatment of his wife and children, and even calling into question the usually acknowledged excellence of his military service. He often criticizes Lee's well known flaws without presenting any contravening information. Conversely, when talking about areas in which it is usually acknowledged Lee excelled the author would take great pains to try and develop caveats to almost all of it. In some cases this becomes very strained and not entirely believable.
2. The authors treatment of Harry Lee's son Robert E. Lee however, borders on the hagiographic. There is much to criticize in Robert E. Lee's life, including his military judgment, but little of that was presented.
Disappointing that with the large number of quotations used throughtout the text the author didn't believe footnotes would be helpful. A real lack in my opinion.
Despite that however, the book is well worth a read if the Lee family is of interest to you.
March 13, 2015
I found it boring. While good to know of the Lee family’s from its origins in Virginia to the fourth generation, the one which produced Richard Henry, Francis Lightfoot, and Arthur Lee, I grew less interested as the story moved on. Much of the book details property, finances, and family relationships, it being a biography of a family rather than of one person. Well, one of the good things about growing older is that you don’t have to answer to your teacher as to why you didn’t finish a book!
Currently reading
April 19, 2009Am reading by dipping into it on occasions...very funny so far...
September 2, 2016
I picked this book up when genealogy research on ancestry.com revealed a Lee ancestor. Interesting family showing all the disfunction families can have. Great cast of characters.
June 6, 2015
An interesting portrayal of over 200 years of the Lee family's history.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews