Maryland State Archives

May 16, 2001: Biography of E. Brooke Lee Final

May 3, 2001: Biography of E. Brooke Lee (Linda Machado)

Comptroller 1920-1922

• Born in Blair House in Washington, D.C. on October 23, 1892.
• Born into historic Lee and Blair families:
  • His great-grandfather, Richard Henry Lee, and a great-uncle signed the Declaration of Independence.
  • His grandfather was the 3rd cousin of Robert E. Lee
  • His father was a senator
• He was a successful politician, real estate developer, and gentleman farmer.
• Attended Pomfert School in Connecticut from which he graduated in 1912
• Enlisted in U.S. Army, Maryland Infantry, 1912
• Married Elizabeth Somerville Wilson in 1914.
• Went to Princeton in 1916. He completed only one year. After that year, he went to work at his father's office (dad was a senator).
• Attended law school at night at George Washington University, graduated 1917 with LL.B.
• Served in World War I:
  • Joined the Army 29th Infantry Division.
  • Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (the Army's second highest award) and the French Croix de Guerre.
  • Earned rank of Lieutenant Colonel
• Began political career when elected Comptroller on Nov. 4, 1919. Served as Comptroller from 1920-22.
• Lee was actively involved in building and land development in Silver Spring during 1922.
• During 1922 he also worked as Secretary and Treasurer of the Silver Spring Building Supply Company.
• Campaigner and supporter of Governor Ritchie
• Appointed Maryland's Secretary of State in Sept. 1923 by Governor Ritchie.
• In 1926 elected to House of Delegates. Later in 26 he was elected House Speaker which he did until 1930.
• Chairman of the Maryland Democratic Central Committee during the mid 1920s.
• Member of the National Democratic Platform Committee in 1924 and 1932
• Served on the Maryland Park and Planning Commission from 1942 to 1948.
• Lee played a major role in the creation of public school, public safety and liquor distribution in Montgomery County.
• Latter part of life, he was a successful beeder of Polled Hereford beef cattle on his farm in Damascus. He became of the US's top breeder and inducted into the Polled Hereford Hall of Fame (yes, there is such a beast - I looked it up!).
• 1981 retired as president and CEO of Lee Development Group
• A member of both the Silver Spring and Montgomery Co. Chambers of Commerce.
• Lee died of pneumonia on September 21, 1984 in Damascus, MD.
• Also during the early 1920s he began a very lucrative career in real estate. Founded the North Washington Realty Company.