Thomas Edward Lawrence

Thomas Edward Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia (August 16, 1888 in Tremadoc, Wales - May 19, 1935 in Bovington, Dorset), was educated as an archaeologist and historian. After the outbreak of the Great War, he became an intelligence officer and a liaison officer with the Arab Revolt from 1916-1918. From 1921 to 1922 he was a member of the Colonial Office and instrumental in the founding of the Arab states in the Middle East. Though ending the War as a Colonel, he served from 1922 to 1935 as a soldier in the Tank Corps and the Royal Air Force. Despite his awareness of his extraordinary personality and his self-confidence, he ardently wished to be considered not as a war hero, or even an adventurer, but as an author.

His masterwork is Seven Pillars of Wisdom, an immense book that he summarized in Revolt in the Desert.

While an excellent film, Lawrence of Arabia (film), starring Peter O'Toole, does not have much historical accuracy.

Increasing amounts of data, now that copyrights are expiring, are available online, through his official biographer, Jeremy Wilson.

Early life and education

One of five illegitimate sons of his father and his governess, all of whom attended Oxford High School.

With increasing tension at home, he briefly enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery at St Mawes Castle, in Cornwall, with the British Army. His father bought him out, a permissible action.

College

He received a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford University, under the guidance of David Hogarth.

In World War I

While the public perception of Lawrence is as a guerilla combat leader, his role was much more as an intelligence officer and political adviser. His mission was to support an Arab rebellion against the Ottoman Turks, a position supported by Lord Kitchener, and his first task was to find an effective Arab leader ally, who might be one of the sons of the Sherif of Mecca, Abdul Hamid, of the Hashemite family.