In Memoriam: T.E. Lawrence

 

(Via: On This Day)

 

Born: August 16, 1888
Birthplace: Tremadog, Caernarfonshire, Wales

Full Name: Thomas Edward Lawrence
Profession: Soldier and Writer

Nationality:

Biography: T. E Lawrence is remembered as a soldier in WWI, where he helped lead an internal rebellion against the Ottoman Empire, events he detailed in his work “The Seven Pillars” of Wisdom”. These events were in turn portrayed in the film “Lawrence of Arabia”

Lawrence was a archaeologist working the Near East when WWI broke out and was recruited by the British army to help foster a revolt within the Ottoman Empire. Working with Arab forces he successfully helped with the capture of Aqaba and later Damascus.

In 1922 Lawrence published his memoirs of that time in “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom” which was made into the film “Lawrence of Arabia” by director David Lean.

The film won best picture in 1963 at the Academy Awards.

Lawrence died of his injuries from a motorcycle accident on May 19, 1935 at the age of 46.

 

Career Highlights:

• 1916-10-16 T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) meets with Faisal I of Iraq

• 1917-01-01 T. E. Lawrence joins the forces of the Arabian sheik Feisal al Husayn, beginning his adventures that will lead him to Damascus by October, 1918

• 1917-07-06 T. E. Lawrence captures port of Aqaba from Turks

• 1918-10-01 World War I: Combined Arab and British force under T. E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, captures Damascus from the Turks

• 1921-03-12 Cairo Conference begins, British meeting to determine Middle Eastern policies, Gertrude Bell and T. E. Lawrence attend

 

Additional Reading:

Ancient bullet supports Lawrence of Arabia’s accounts