Why Robert E. Lee was America’s Most Admired General For Over a Century

History Unplugged Podcast · Oct 10, 2023 · 48m

Robert E. Lee has become a target of activists in the last decade, with statues of him being taken down across the United States, and eponymous schools and streets being renamed. But for over a century after the Civil War, he was considered a brilliant general, courageous leader, and, in the words of Winston Churchill, “one of the noblest Americans who ever lived.” Today, however, he is vilified and the virtues of hard work and leadership he inspired are largely forgotten.

To explore his legacy, and reasons for the drastic change is today’s guest, H.W. Crocker, author of “Robert E. Lee on…