Washington and Lee and Lafayette: Enduring Legacies of Liberty

Join us for this special Founders Day lecture at Washington and Lee University as author Ryan Cole explores the intertwined lives of two Revolutionary War heroes: the Marquis de Lafayette and Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee III.

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, Cole examines how these brilliant warriors and champions of liberty served as proteges of George Washington, their triumphs and tragedies during and after the Revolution, and their lasting impact on American history. From Lee's daring cavalry raids to Lafayette's triumphant 1824 tour of America, discover the dramatic stories of two men who kept the flame of the American Revolution alive.

Ryan Cole is the author of "Light Horse Harry Lee: The Rise and Fall of a Revolutionary Hero" (2019) and "The Last Adieu: Lafayette’s Triumphant Return, the Echoes of Revolution, and the Gratitude of the Republic" (2025).

Presented by The Generals Redoubt at Washington and Lee University on Friday, January 16, 2026.