Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 05.djvu/520

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LEE 444 LEE sar College, and from 1893 to 1896 she was head of the department of English, in the College for Women, at the West- ern Reserve University. From 1904 to 1913 she was professor of English lan- guage and literature at Smith College. In 1896 she married Gerald Stanley Lee. Her novels include "Kate Wetherill" (1900); "Happy Island" (1910) ; "Unfin- ished Portraits" (1916); "The Air-Man and the Tramp" (1918) ; "The Rain-Coat Girl" (1919). RICHARD HENRY LEE LEE, KICHARD HENRY, an Amer- ican statesman; born in Stratford, West- moreland CO., Va., Jan. 20, 1732. He re ceived part of his education in England, and after his return to his native coun- try was chosen a delegate to the House of Burgesses from Westmoreland county. In the opposition to unjust British claims he played throughout a most important part. A delegate from Virginia to the first American Congress at Philadelphia (1774) he was at once recognized as a leader in that assembly. He drew up many addresses to the king and the English people. When war became in- evitable Lee was placed on the vari- ous committees appointed to organize re- sistance. On June 7, 1776, he intro- duced the motion finally breaking politi- cal connection with Great Britain. In 1784 he was unanimously elected presi- dent of the Congress, and when the Fed- eral Constitution was established he en- tered the Senate for his native State. In 1792 he retired into private life. He died in Chantilly, Va., June 19, 1794. LEE, ROBERT EDWARD, an Amer- ican military officer; bom in Stratford House, Westmoreland co., Va., Jan. 19, 1807. He was graduated at United States Military Academy in 1829, and entered the United States army as 2d lieutenant, becoming 1st lieutenant in 1836, and captain two years later. In 1846 Lee was appointed engineer-in-chief to the United States army in Mexico; was bre vetted major in April of that year for "gallant conduct at the battle of Cerro Gordo"; lieutenant-colonel in August, 1847, for distinguished bravery in the actions of Contreras and Churu- busco; and colonel (Sept. 13, 1847), for eminent services at Chapultepec. After the close of the war Colonel Lee was re- appointed a member of the United States Board of Engineers, and in 1852 was made superintendent of West Point Mili- tary Academy, which he held till March, 1855, when he was appointed lieutenant- colonel of cavalry. In 1861 he received his colonelcy, but resigned his commis- sion within a month afterward, and of- fered his sword to his native State, Vir- ginia, which had just seceded from the Union, and was then threatened by the National forces. His offer being promptly accepted. Colonel Lee was ap- pointed commander-in-chief of the Vir- ginia troops, with the rank of general in GENERAL ROBERT E. LEB the Confederate army. He occupied himself with organizing his troops till May, 1862, when he superseded Gen. J. E. Johnston in the command of the army intrusted with the defense of Richmond, threatened by a formidable Union army