Lee Perspective on Robert E. Lee

[gem]

http://www.c-span.org/video/?197864-1/perspective-robert-e-lee

Robert Krick delivered the dinner address, "Lee and the Historians in the Age of the Anti-Hero," at a symposium marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert E. Lee. General Lee has long been one of America's most revered individuals, but opinions are subject to historical revision. Professor Krick addressed questions of whether Lee was a hero whose valor and leadership were surpassed only by his honor and humanity, or whether he was a traitor whose military skill served a bad cause and prolonged an immoral rebellion against his rightful government.

Robert Krick is a former historian at Fredericksburg National Battlefield Park.

The Stephen D. Lee Institute was established by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 2005 as a forum for historical scholarship in defense of the Confederacy.

 

[John Winn]

Thanks Sergeant gem for that link. I enjoyed the talk a great deal.

Some time ago, when I was doing family research, I wrote the Park Service an email asking some questions and to my surprise got a very personable, and detailed, response from Krick himself. We exchanged a few more emails to share some details and that was it but I've always remembered that he took the time to personally answer my questions.

As to the video, I agree completely with his analyses and he made me laugh a few times too.

 

[CMWinkler]

Great post. Thank you.

 

[GenDeb]

Enjoyed it very much, thanks for posting. Well worth watching...

 

[Drew]

Professor Krick addressed questions of whether Lee was a hero whose valor and leadership were surpassed only by his honor and humanity, or whether he was a traitor whose military skill served a bad cause and prolonged an immoral rebellion against his rightful government.

I watched it and enjoyed it - thanks very much for posting. But, whether Lee "was a traitor whose military skill served a bad cause and prolonged and immoral rebellion" is not addressed, even in the least.

It's a discussion largely of Lee's stature during the war years and attempts by modern revisionists to discredit and deny his public recognition during those years. Very worthwhile presentation from Mr. Krick. Thanks again.