Article: Harry Philby's ceremonial brushes: the renowned Arabist used these brushes when he took part in the ceremonial cleaning of the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine.(FROM THE COLLECTION)(Biography)

Explorer and author Harry St John Bridger Philby was born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1885. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, he joined the Indian civil service shortly after his graduation and was posted to Iraq as part of the Indian Expeditionary Force. Then, in 1917, while working for the British Foreign Service, he was sent on an expedition to Arabia. His mission was to negotiate with Arab leader Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, or Ibn Sa'ud as he was more commonly known in the West. Saud ruled Najd and al-Hasa, two regions along the east of the Arabian peninsula. It was hoped that Philby would be able to convince him to mount a British-backed military campaign against the ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!