Thomas Edward Lawrence

T. E. Lawrence was born on 16 August 1888 in Tremadog, Wales. He was the illegitimate son of Sir Thomas Chapman, an Anglo-Irish aristocrat, and Sarah Junner, a governess. He had four brothers who shared the same parents but used different surnames. He grew up in various places in Britain and France and received his education at Oxford High School and Jesus College, Oxford. He studied history and archaeology and became interested in the Middle East. He participated in several archaeological expeditions to Syria and Palestine before World War I. During the war, he joined the British Army as an intelligence officer and was stationed in Cairo. He became involved in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, which was allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary. He worked closely with Emir Faisal, one of the leaders of the revolt, and helped organize and train the Arab forces. He also took part in many military operations, such as the capture of Aqaba, the raid on Deraa, and the march on Damascus. He became famous for his courage, charisma, and unconventional tactics. He was also known for his sympathy and respect for the Arab culture and people. He wore Arab clothing and adopted their customs and language. He was nicknamed "Lawrence of Arabia" by the press and admired by many people around the world. ¹ After the war, he attended the Paris Peace Conference as a member of Faisal's delegation. He tried to secure the independence and unity of the Arab lands that were promised by Britain during the war. However, he was disappointed by the outcome of the conference, which divided the region into British and French mandates. He felt betrayed by his own government and guilty for his role in the war. He also suffered from physical and psychological wounds that haunted him for the rest of his life. ¹ He retired from public life and changed his name several times to avoid fame and attention. He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) under the name T. E. Shaw in 1922 and served as an aircraft mechanic until 1935. He also wrote several books about his experiences in the war, such as The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926), which is considered a classic of war literature, and The Mint (1955), which describes his life in the RAF. He also translated some works from French and Greek into English, such as The Odyssey by Homer (1932). ¹ He died on 19 May 1935 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident near his home in Dorset. He was 46 years old. He was buried at St Nicholas Church in Moreton, where his grave is marked by a simple stone with his name and dates of birth and death. His life and legacy have inspired many books, films, documentaries, and biographies over the years. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest heroes of British history.¹