About: Mary Anna Custis Lee

Mary Anna Randolph Custis Lee (October 1, 1807 – November 5, 1873) was an American writer and the last private owner of Arlington Estate. She was the daughter of George Washington Parke Custis who was the grandson of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington who was the wife of George Washington. She married U.S. Army officer Robert E. Lee at her parents' home, Arlington House in 1831. They lived there with her parents while Lee served in the U.S. Army. They had seven children. She was at home when Lee was offered command of the U.S. Army as the U.S. Civil War began. Instead, he decided to serve Virginia and commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He survived the war, became the president of Washington College, and died three years before she did.