T E Lawrence (of Arabia)

Leader of the Arabian revolt during WWI.

Born:

16 AUG 1888

Place of Birth:

Tremadog

School:

Oxford High School for Boys

Trivia:

The room in which Lawrence was born is now a toilet in the Snowdon Lodge hostel.

Biography:

T E Lawrence has come to be known as Lawrence of Arabia due to his leadership of the Arabian revolt, which ensured victory against the Turkish Empire during World War I. His life was immortalised in the film Lawrence of Arabia, which won seven Oscars and starred Peter O'Toole.

T Edward Lawrence (Ned) was born in Tremadog on 1888 when his family briefly settled in the area, having had to leave Ireland. His father, Robert Chapman - the second son of a land-owning Irish family - fell in love with his daughter's governess, Sarah Lawrence. When his wife discovered the affair, he left his family and joined Sarah in Dublin, moving on to Tremadog, Scotland, France and finally settling in Oxford.

T E Lawrence gained a first class degree in Modern History from Jesus College, Oxford. He became an archaeologist, travelling all over the Middle East and leading the excavation of Archamish. At the outbreak of World War I he joined the British intelligence service in Cairo and became involved in negotiations and schemes to orchestrate an Arab revolt against the Turkish Empire. Though he was captured and tortured and injured many times, Lawrence was instrumental in Britain's success on the Eastern Front. Dressing in traditional Arab costume, Lawrence led the Arab revolt, distracting the Turkish army by leading his men into the desert whilst the British army was able to descend upon Syria and Palestine.

He then joined the Middle Eastern section of the diplomatic corps before changing his name to T E Shaw, and joining the RAF as a mechanic.

He had a great passion for motorbikes and owned many George Brough models, the fastest in Britain at the time. In 1935, however, he was involved in a collision with two cyclists, and was killed. There is a memorial to him at St Martin at Wareham Church, Dorset.

Photos from the desert.

your comments

Daz, Brum
It was my godfather's aunt and uncle who owned the Post Office in Wool. This is what he told me, about what they told him. During the day a black car was seen driving slowly through the village, several times. This was reported to the authorities by many villagers, but never made it into the official report on his death. Shortly after Lawrence left the post office (he also bought a pack of cigarettes when he sent the telegram), the black car sped through the village and was never seen again.And they don't recall seeing the boys on their bikes.
Thu Apr 9 09:11:33 2009

David Baker
I have been researching T.E.Lawrence now for many years at and I am considered to be an expert on him. I have seen the film numerous times and it is historically inaccurate. Lawrence wasn't killed in a motorcycle accident in May 1935. He died as a result of head injuries received after being thrown off his George Brough Superior GW 2275 after returning from Wool Post Office on the morning of the 13th and died six days later at Bovington Military Hospital Dorset. He apparently replied to Henry Williamson's letter! Lawrence sent a telegram to Williamson telling him Lunch Tuesday wet fine Cottage one mile from Bovington Camp signed SHAW. The Greek inscription over the door translates as Why Worry. Also Lawrence was not related to George Bernard Shaw.
Tue Mar 24 10:27:39 2009

Dave, Christchurch - NZ
At the end of the television program about Lawrence's life, the narrator said something about a quotation being inscribed on/into the mantlepiece in his house, Dose anyone know what it is/was?
Mon Mar 23 09:58:05 2009

Terry from Leeds
As a young soldier in Arabia in 1958, I met a man who was with Lawrence when he captured Jerusalem. they refered to him as Prince Lawrence (they pronounced it orrance)
Thu Jul 31 09:31:46 2008

Roger Wheeler from Cornwall
I recently rode with my wife on our bike to Beauliea to see Laurence's Brough Superior motorcycle. It's been removed by its owner after a dispute and is now apparently at the Science Museum in London.
Mon Sep 24 11:41:14 2007

Rosemary Simons from Leighton Buzzard
The birth date of 16 Dec 1888 is at variance with a possible birth record (Thomas Edward Lawrence) in the third quarter of 1888, at reg. district Festiniog. Intriguing but unimportant.
Mon Feb 12 10:25:39 2007

andy ripper from essex
i have a theory that t.e. lawrence was in fact the illegitimate son of george bernard shaw. t.e's parentage has never really been established 100% and the coincidences with ireland fit into my g.b.shaw theory. t.e and g.b were very good friends i.e more a father and son relationship? hence t.e. adopting the surname shaw in later life. the secret was taken to the grave by both.
Tue Aug 29 09:39:21 2006

Trev, Bolton
What about the theory that Lawrence was run off the road by a large black car, reputed to be a government vehicle, because of his knowledge of the Arabian situation at the time and his past intelligent service connections?
Fri Jul 21 12:09:05 2006

Bob, Bangor
T.E.Laurence's knowledge of customs and culture of Arabia is used in handbooks on issue to British forces in the Middle East today.
Mon Oct 24 12:08:57 2005

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