Lawrence of arabia biography online

T.E. Lawrence gained fame as a British leader of an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War One. A charismatic figure, Lawrence threw himself into Arabic culture to befriend and sympathise with his Arab partners. It was this ability to identify with the Arab peoples which made him a successful military leader in the guerrilla warfare of the 1917 Arab revolt.

His life and adventures have become popularised – most famously in the film starring Peter O’Toole – Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

“I deem him one of the greatest beings alive in our time… We shall never see his like again. His name will live in history. It will live in the annals of war… It will live in the legends of Arabia.”

– Winston Churchill on T.E. Lawrence

Short Biography of T.E.Lawrence

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesoses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did.”

– T.E.Lawrence – Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1922)

Lawrence was born at Gorphwysfa in Tremadog, Caernarfonshire (now Gwynedd), Wales. 16 August 1888.

At an early age, his family moved to Polstead Road, Oxford , where he attended the local Oxford high school for boys. In 1907, he went up to Oxford University, studying at Jesus College.

From an early age, Lawrence was fascinated with the culture of medieval knights and ancient chivalry. He most probably nursed ambitions to follow in the footsteps of these ancient heroes. As a young boy, he loved to travel around English churches, making etchings of notable figures. During his university time, he travelled extensively around France on bicycle; in particular, visiting the Crusader temples and castles which fascinated him.

After graduating with a first class bachelors degree, Lawrence began studying medieval pot

Author(s): Ranulph Fiennes

History | Middle East

Lawrence of Arabia: The definitive 21st-century biography of a 20th-century soldier, adventurer and leader is an enthralling and illuminating biography of T. E. Lawrence - the inspiration for the iconic film Lawrence of Arabia - from "The World's Greatest Living Explorer" Ranulph Fiennes

Co-opted by the British military, archaeologist and adventurer Thomas Edward Lawrence became involved in the 1916 Arab Revolt, fighting alongside guerilla forces, and made a legendary 300-mile journey through blistering heat. He wore Arab dress, and strongly identified with the people in his adopted lands. By 1918, he had a £20,000 price on his head.  

Despite people's fascination, Lawrence has long remained unknowable, one of history's most enigmatic explorers. But with in-depth knowledge of what it takes to venture into the unknown, this authoritative biography from explorer Ranulph Fiennes at last brings enthralling insight and clarity to this remarkable life.

An excellent guide to a colourful life for readers who enjoy tales of adventure in the desert sands * Telegraph *
Praise for Ranulph Fiennes * - *
Fiennes' own experiences certainly allow him to write vividly and with empathy of the hell that the men went through. * The Sunday Times *
A valuable corrective to the trend of Scott debunking...One by one, and with the commendable attention to detail, Fiennes explodes the accumulated myths. * Sunday Telegraph *
THE definitive book on my hero Shackleton and no one could have done it better. "The Boss" would have heartily approved of such an authentic account by one of the few men who truly knows what it's like to challenge Antarctica. * Lorraine Kelly *
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has done Captain Scott's memory some service...he has certainly written a more dispassionate and balanced account than Huntford ever set out to do. -- Simon Courtauld * Spectator *
Full of awe-inspiring details of hardship, resolve and wea

A short summary of some aspects of T.E. Lawrence Life

• Thomas Edward Lawrence was born on 16 August 1888 in North Wales.
• Lawrence studied history at Jesus College Oxford University
• For his history thesis, he studied Crusader castles in Syria. He loved the idea and concept of medieval chivalry.
• As a youngster, he was very shy but had a precious mind and strong independent attitude to life.
• He also liked to push himself to the limit, cycling, walking and asbtaining from food and drink to test himself living in challenging circumstances.
• In 1909 T.E.Lawrence first visited Syria and Palestine. He stood out from his contemporaries by quickly learning the language of the locals and expressing interest in what they knew. The typical attitude of British officials at the time was one of a master-servant relationship.
• In 1914, Lawrence, working for British intelligence was part of an expedition exploring northern Sinai, carrying out reconnaissance under cover of a scientific expedition.
• He had four brothers, all born in different parts of the British Isles
• During the war, Lawrence lost two brothers on the western front, and he felt guilty about his office-job in Cairo. It wasn’t until October 2016, he could get involved in active service in the middle-east.
• Lawrence’s personal qualities and interest in Arab culture enabled him to gain the confidence of Arab rebels and he was appointed to be the British army’s liaison officer.
• Lawrence was conscience-stricken by the dual promises made by Britain and France, which promised full independence to Arab nations, whilst secretly wanting to keep the main areas of influence as part of the British and French empires.
• When Lawrence embarked on his daring 600-mile camel trek to capture the port of Aqaba, he had not informed anyone in the British Army.
• In Nov 1917, Lawrence was captured by Turkish forces in the town of Deraa, where he was tortured before escaping.
• After the war, Lawrence campaigned vigoro

British Army officer, diplomat and writer (1888–1935)

"Lawrence of Arabia" redirects here. For the 1962 film, see Lawrence of Arabia (film). For the 1989 book, see Lawrence of Arabia: The Authorised Biography of T. E. Lawrence.

Thomas Edward LawrenceCB DSO (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935) was a British Army officer, archaeologist, diplomat and writer known for his role during the Arab Revolt and Sinai and Palestine campaign against the Ottoman Empire in the First World War. The breadth and variety of his activities and associations, and Lawrence's ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia, a title used for the 1962 film based on his wartime activities.

Lawrence was born in Tremadog, Carnarvonshire, Wales, the illegitimate son of Sir Thomas Chapman, an Anglo-Irish landowner, and Sarah Junner, a governess in Chapman's employ. In 1896, Lawrence moved to Oxford, attending the City of Oxford High School for Boys and read history at Jesus College, Oxford from 1907 to 1910. Between 1910 and 1914, he worked as an archaeologist for the British Museum, chiefly at Carchemish in Ottoman Syria.

After the outbreak of war in 1914, Lawrence joined the British Army and was stationed at the Arab Bureau, a military intelligence unit in Egypt. In 1916, he travelled to Mesopotamia and Arabia on intelligence missions and became involved with the Arab revolt against Ottoman rule. Lawrence was ultimately assigned to the British Military Mission in the Hejaz as a liaison to Emir Faisal, a leader of the revolt. He participated in engagements with the Ottoman military culminating in the capture of Damascus in October 1918.

After the war's end, he joined the Foreign Office, working with Faisal. In 1922, Lawrence retreated from public life and served as an enlisted man in the Army and Royal Air Force (RAF) until 1935. He published the Seven Pillars of Wisdom in 1926, an autobiographical account of h