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Article: Writer, explorer, spinster, spy. (archeologist Gertrude Bell)
- Article from:
- The Middle East
- Article date:
- February 1, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The image of te Lawrence in billowing white robes, galloping through undulating sands to negotiate critical deals with desert rulers on behalf of "the Empire" is a popular European image of the influence exerted by the British in the Middle East during the early 20th century. However, a new biography of writer, archaeologist, spinster and spy, Gertrude Bell, argues that it was she, rather than the dashing Lawrence, the man who `made kings' and `drew lines in the sand', who played a major part in the creation of the modern Gulf states. And next month a British Council exhibition arrives in Cairo on the first leg of a tour - which will include the Gulf states - intended to ...