Homer Lea (1876–1912) was an American author and geopolitical strategist whose life and career bridged the worlds of Western political theory and East Asian revolutionary politics. Born in the late nineteenth century, Lea developed a deep interest in global strategy and military affairs, which eventually led him to play a direct role in the historic political transformations occurring in China during the early years of the twentieth century.
Lea is best remembered for his dual legacy as a writer on geopolitics and as an active military figure. He served as a close military advisor and attained the rank of general in the army of Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader who played a pivotal role in the Chinese revolutionary movement. Through his writings and his direct involvement in Chinese military affairs, Lea analyzed the shifting balances of international power, leaving behind a unique legacy as an American who participated directly in the shaping of modern Asian history.
