Gynecologist, George Bolling Lee, was the grandson of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. George was born into a lineage of American history but still managed to carve a path for himself. This article looks at his early life, education, career, personal life and more about the man behind the name.
Early Life/Family Background
George Bolling Lee was born on August 30, 1872 in Lexington, Virginia. He was the son of Confederate Major General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee and Mary Tabb Bolling. Growing up in a historical family, George was surrounded by the legacy of his grandfather, General Robert E. Lee, and his great-grandfather, Colonel Henry “Lighthorse Harry” Lee of the Continental Army. That heritage certainly shaped his upbringing and the values he received early on.
Educational Background
George studied medicine. His A.B. degree was from Washington and Lee University in 1893. Then he went on to Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons for his M.D. His academic journey prepared him for a career in medicine.
Professional Career
Once educated in medicine, George Bolling Lee interned at Bellevue Hospital from 1896 to 1899. He then set up a practice in New York City as a gynecologist until his death in 1948. Through the years he was associate surgeon at Women’s Hospital and visiting gynecologist at Bellevue Hospital and Hospital for Joint Diseases. He also was professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital. The medical contributions were great and he was respected by his peers and patients alike.
Marital Life and Family
In 1920, George married Helen Madeline Keeney in San Francisco. They had two children: A daughter, Mary Walker Lee, born in 1922, and a son, Robert Edward Lee IV, born in 1924. They were married for 28 years until George died in 1948. George was a devoted husband and father, and family was always a priority for him despite his demanding career.
Public Appearances
Throughout his life, George Bolling Lee made a few public appearances – often related to his family history. He and Major General Ulysses S. Grant III, grandson of the Union General to whom Robert E. Lee surrendered, received honorary LL.D. degrees from Gettysburg College in 1934. This represented reconciliation and respect between the descendants of two Civil War figures.
Other Interesting Facts
George Bolling Lee lived alongside notable historical figures. He served as Captain in the Army Medical Officers Reserve Corps during World War I as a contract surgeon. He was also honorary president of the board of directors of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, which worked to make his grandfather’s birthplace Stratford Hall a national shrine. These roles are testaments to his profession and family legacy.
Conclusion
George Bolling Lee lived a balanced professional and historical life. As a respected gynecologist and a descendant of one of America’s most prominent families he left his mark on both the medical field and on the preservation of his family history.