Washington and Lee University (originally Washington College) is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was founded in 1749 as "Augusta Academy", and renamed "Liberty Hall" in 1776. George Washington gave the school its first significant endowment in 1796, and the board of trustees changed the name of the school to honor him. After the American Civil War, General Robert E. Lee reluctantly accepted the post of college president, and the school's name was changed to honor him after his death. His son, George Washington Custis Lee followed as the school's next president.

Washington and Lee was all-male until 1972, when women were admitted to the law school; the first female undergraduates were admitted in 1985.

The University prides itself on both strong academics and being a major fraternity school. (Around 80% of the male student body is in a fraternity, about 76% of the female student body is in a sorority)

W&L is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South.