T. E. Lawrence

Thomas Edward Lawrence (1888–1935) was a British archaeologist, military officer, diplomat, and writer, widely known as “Lawrence of Arabia.” Before the First World War he worked on archaeological excavations in the Middle East. During the war he served as a liaison with Arab forces in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, experiences that later shaped his public reputation. After 1918 he took part in diplomatic work connected to the postwar settlement in the region. Lawrence wrote *Seven Pillars of Wisdom*, an account of the revolt and its aftermath, and also produced other writings and translations. He died in 1935 following a motorcycle accident in England.