The Birth of a Nation (1915) Howard Gaye as General Robert E. Lee (seated, left) and Donald Crisp as General Ulysses S. Grant (standing, right) in THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915). with Henry B. Walthall and Lillian Gish. Directed by D. W. Griffith. D. W. Griffith/Epoch. More Information on this film...                                      Books (none) Last Modified January 22, 2013