Robert B. Lea was graduated from Yale College in 1871, member of Skull and Bones, Phi Beta Kappa, and last recipient of the Yale Spoon. He studied French and Roman law in Paris and practiced law in Nashville. In 1880, he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nashville.
Through his mother, Lea was a large property holder in Memphis, Tennessee, allowing him to withdraw from the practice of law in 1890 and move his family to Davos Platz, Switzerland, for the health of his wife and son, both of whom had contracted pulmonary tuberculosis.
Robert Lea died by suicide at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva.
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"MR ROBERT B. LEA.—His Body Will Be Brought Here For Interment.—The body of Mr. Robert B. Lea, who died at the Hotel Beau [Rivage], Geneva, Switzerland, on the 9th inst., will arrive in New York on the steamer La Bretagne, which is due in New York City to-day. The body will be brought to Nashville for interment at Mt Olivet. It will reach here Wednesday." (Nashville Banner, Monday 28 January 1895, 2.)
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Parents:
Elizabeth Belle Overton (1826–'90)
Judge John McCormick Lea (1818–1903)
Siblings (2):
John Overton Lea (1846–1912)
Luke Lea (1847–'64)
Married (15 October 1874):
Rebecca Marie Salmons (1851–1905)
Children (2):
John McCormick Lea, Jr (1875–'99)
Bessie Lea (Kelly) (Leake) (1877–1942)
Robert B. Lea was graduated from Yale College in 1871, member of Skull and Bones, Phi Beta Kappa, and last recipient of the Yale Spoon. He studied French and Roman law in Paris and practiced law in Nashville. In 1880, he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Nashville.
Through his mother, Lea was a large property holder in Memphis, Tennessee, allowing him to withdraw from the practice of law in 1890 and move his family to Davos Platz, Switzerland, for the health of his wife and son, both of whom had contracted pulmonary tuberculosis.
Robert Lea died by suicide at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva.
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"MR ROBERT B. LEA.—His Body Will Be Brought Here For Interment.—The body of Mr. Robert B. Lea, who died at the Hotel Beau [Rivage], Geneva, Switzerland, on the 9th inst., will arrive in New York on the steamer La Bretagne, which is due in New York City to-day. The body will be brought to Nashville for interment at Mt Olivet. It will reach here Wednesday." (Nashville Banner, Monday 28 January 1895, 2.)
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Parents:
Elizabeth Belle Overton (1826–'90)
Judge John McCormick Lea (1818–1903)
Siblings (2):
John Overton Lea (1846–1912)
Luke Lea (1847–'64)
Married (15 October 1874):
Rebecca Marie Salmons (1851–1905)
Children (2):
John McCormick Lea, Jr (1875–'99)
Bessie Lea (Kelly) (Leake) (1877–1942)
Inscription
Robert B. Lea, / son of / John M. & Elizabeth B. Lea / May 7, 1849, / Jan. 8, 1895.
Gravesite Details
Family of Elizabeth née Overton and the Hon. John McCormick Lea
Family Members
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