Answer Ten – The Bishop

Not too long ago (I hope) I threw down the trivial gauntlet for the tenth time and asked if anyone could identify a pictured historical figure. Nobody got it. Perhaps I should have given you a hint. Here's one: the photograph was made by Mathew Brady. Any help?

Okay, enough waiting. The man in the picture was the Episcopal bishop of New Orleans. The bishop's more famous side job was general. He is Leonidas Polk, better known as Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk of the Confederate States Army.


With a name like Leonidas it seems foreordained (oh I do love a bad pun) that he'd end up a soldier. It may not have been the best career move. During the Battle of Atlanta he was pretty much cut in two by a shell. Do all bishops go to heaven?

So now you know, and knowing is half the battle.