First in War, Forgotten by His Countrymen: Light Horse Harry Lee

Discover the remarkable and tragic life of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III—Revolutionary War hero, Virginia governor, and father of Robert E. Lee. In this episode of Founding Philosophies, host Kamron Spivey sits down with author Ryan Cole to explore why this brilliant military tactician and eloquent statesman has been largely forgotten by history.

In this episode:

• Light Horse Harry Lee's daring military exploits during the Revolutionary War
• His pivotal role in Virginia's ratification of the Constitution
• The famous eulogy: "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen"
• Lee's passionate advocacy for monuments to preserve the memory of the founding generation
• The tragic downfall: bankruptcy, debtor's prison, assault, and exile in the West Indies
• Wisdom from exile: the letters of advice Lee wrote to his children, including young Robert E. Lee
• Why flawed heroes still matter and what we can learn from their aspirations

About the Guest: Ryan Cole is the author of biographies on Light Horse Harry Lee and the Marquis de Lafayette's return to America. His work brings to life the complex, often contradictory figures who shaped our nation.

Recorded at Fancy Hill in the George Washington Parlor—a fitting setting for this conversation about Revolutionary War heroes and the enduring lessons they offer.

Intro/Outro Music: Pioneer's March, Colonial Fife Tune: https://dn721806.ca.archive.org/0/ite...