George Washington Custis Lee

George Washington Custis Lee
Lee pictured in Calyx 1897, Washington & Lee yearbook
Born	(1832-09-16)September 16, 1832 Fort Monroe, Virginia, U.S.
Died	February 18, 1913(1913-02-18) (aged 80) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Place of burial	Lee Chapel, Lexington, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America Confederate States
Service/branch	United States Army  Confederate Army
Years of service	1854–61 (USA), 1861–65 (CSA)
Rank	First Lieutenant (USA) Major General (CSA)
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Relations	Son of Robert E. Lee

George Washington Custis Lee (September 16, 1832 – February 18, 1913), also known as Custis Lee, was the eldest son of Robert E. Lee and Mary Anna Custis Lee. His grandfather—George Washington Custis—was the step-grandson and adopted son of George Washington. He served as a Confederate general in the American Civil War, primarily as an aide-de-camp to President Jefferson Davis, and succeeded his father as president of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.

Lee was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia. He was educated at numerous boarding schools to prepare him in his father's footsteps. He was educated at the classical school of Reverend George A. Smith in his younger years. He then entered the mathematical school of Benjamin Hallowell. Lee was not given admission to West Point at age sixteen. Lee's father, Robert E. Lee, then sent a letter to General Winfield Scott on his son's behalf. Zachary Taylor then nominated Lee to West Point. Lee was then accepted to West Point at age seventeen.

From 1850 to 1854, Lee attended West Point. During his first year, Lee excelled both academically and militarily. Toward the end of his first year he was almost expelled, when alcohol was found in his room. He claimed that he did not put it there, and got away with only minor punishments. He did well in his second year also. At the beginning of his third year, his father became the Superintendent of West Point. Lee graduated first in his class of forty-six, in 1854. Other members of his class included Major General J.E.B. Stuart, Major General William Dorsey Pender, Brigadier General John Pegram, Brigadier General James Deshler, Colonel and Acting Brigadier General Horace Randal, and Brigadier General John Villepigue.