This is an ultra-rare from life photograph of Brevet Colonel Robert E. Lee, age 45-47 years old, taken between 1852 and 1854 when he was Superintendent of West Point. Famous graduates during his tenure included CSA Generals JEB Stuart and Dorsey Pender and Union leaders, James B. McPherson, Phil Sheridan and John Slocum, along with Lee’s son, Custis. The photo served as the model for the bronze statue of Lee that still stands at the academy. The uniqueness of the “West Point photo” is attested to by the fact that the leading authority on 19th century images, The Daguerreian Society, acknowledged that they had never seen this photo before.
RE Lee at West Point
