Who was a prominent figure associated with the establishment of the Ku Klux Klan?

The answer is Nathan Bedford Forrest, who is indeed a prominent figure associated with the establishment of the Ku Klux Klan. Forrest was a Confederate army general during the Civil War and is often cited as one of the early leaders of the Klan, particularly in its formative years after the war. The Klan was founded in 1865 in Tennessee, and Forrest played a significant role in its early organization and expansion, aiming to promote white supremacy and resist Reconstruction efforts.

His involvement was significant not only because he was a military leader but also due to his controversial reputation, which has sparked considerable historical debate regarding his legacy. Over time, Forrest's actions and the violent reputation of the Klan became emblematic of the racist backlash against the advances made during Reconstruction, shaping the course of Southern society in the years that followed.

In contrast, the other figures listed, such as Robert E. Lee, William T. Sherman, and Jefferson Davis, were prominent military and political leaders of the Confederacy, but they were not linked to the founding or the early activities of the Klan. Their roles in the Civil War and post-war period were significant in their own right, but they did not have the same association with the Ku Klux Klan.