W&L HISTORY

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History Articles

Featured
“Arlington Bridge” Poem
“Arlington Bridge” Poem
“Robert E. Lee” by The Patriot Post
“Robert E. Lee” by The Patriot Post
Robert E. Lee and the “New South”
Robert E. Lee and the “New South”

History Videos

Featured
Has the Honor System Endured PODCAST
Has the Honor System Endured PODCAST
The Lost Legacy of John Robinson PODCAST
The Lost Legacy of John Robinson PODCAST
The Munificent "Jockey" John Robinson
The Munificent "Jockey" John Robinson
A Brief History of Fancy Hill, Virginia
A Brief History of Fancy Hill, Virginia
Echoes of the Past, Voices of the Future
Echoes of the Past, Voices of the Future
George Washington, Patron of the Arts and Literature
George Washington, Patron of the Arts and Literature
Robert E. Lee Comes to Washington College
Robert E. Lee Comes to Washington College
Old George, A Fine and Commanding Image
Old George, A Fine and Commanding Image

Primary Sources

Featured
A Presidential Defense of the Honor System
A Presidential Defense of the Honor System

Former university president challenges law professor’s censure of Honor System

A Student Under General Lee
A Student Under General Lee

An aged alumnus looks back at the stern yet kindly leadership of President Robert E. Lee

GWC Lee Confers the Peale Portraits
GWC Lee Confers the Peale Portraits

Washington and Lee trustees thank General GWC Lee for his exceptional charity towards the university

The Friendship of Edith Bolling Wilson and F.P. Gaines
The Friendship of Edith Bolling Wilson and F.P. Gaines

Letters from a former First Lady speak highly on one of W&L’s greatest leaders.

Teddy Roosevelt Praises Robert E. Lee
Teddy Roosevelt Praises Robert E. Lee

An endearing letter from President Roosevelt commends the educational legacy of Robert E. Lee.

A Campus of Patriotism & Religion, c.1920
A Campus of Patriotism & Religion, c.1920

This century-old pamphlet fundraised for the “enlarging opportunities of the future” while celebrating the patriotism and religion of university history.

Historical Highlight: “Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee”
Historical Highlight: “Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee”

A century-old book review by William Taylor Thom, Class of 1869

Historical Highlight: Abolitionists Vouch for President Lee
Historical Highlight: Abolitionists Vouch for President Lee

This highlight features excerpts from an 1868 pamphlet fundraising for Washington College under President Robert E. Lee.

Historical Highlight: Student Requests for Scholarship under President Lee
Historical Highlight: Student Requests for Scholarship under President Lee
Historical Highlight: John Robinson’s Exhumation
Historical Highlight: John Robinson’s Exhumation

An 1855 letter describes the time capsule buried under the Robinson obelisk…

Historical Highlight: Graham to Washington
Historical Highlight: Graham to Washington
Historical Highlight: Student Honor under Lee
Historical Highlight: Student Honor under Lee
Historical Highlight: The Centennial of the Reaper
Historical Highlight: The Centennial of the Reaper

The Centennial of the Reaper, September 25, 1931

Historical Highlight: Letter from Dr. King to W&L
Historical Highlight: Letter from Dr. King to W&L
Historical Highlight: Trustees Minutes 1870
Historical Highlight: Trustees Minutes 1870
Historical Highlight | A Century of Convocation
Historical Highlight | A Century of Convocation