Gertrude Bell - Queen of the Desert [Episode 144]

She spoke better Arabic than Lawrence of Arabia, helped draw the borders of modern-day Iraq, and founded the National Museum arguing that historic relics should be kept in the country of origin. Yet Gertrude Bell is a relatively little-known British Imperialist. Perhaps as she was so ‘of her era’, as opposed to the more self-questioning heroes we might focus on now. <br/><br/>I talk about my journey over the last few weeks, trying to find out more and more about her. I start with the Encyclopedia Britannica, check the Guardian newspaper, and find most biographies really draw on a single source, ‘Queen of the Desert: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell’ by Georgina Howell. I do check that, and a documentary that accompanied The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. There is also a 2015 movie starring Nicole Kidman, but honestly I found it hard to get into it, as many do.<br/><br/>If you are interested in her archeological work, rather than her private life and public politics, it would be hard to do better than the hour-long Youtube video, ‘Lisa Cooper | Encounters with Ancient Splendors: Gertrude Bell’. This is a public lecture, which does show some of her remarkable photography. Meanwhile, BBC North East has shared videos about the influence her family had on her regions, Yorkshire and Cumbria. <br/><br/>Throughout this episode, I do try and add in my own experience where I can, having worked in Saudi Arabia and then in Oman. I was able to visit some of the archeological sites out in the desert, and I can quite understand how this could draw someone in as a life-ling interest. I shall share more on that, if requested, so do get in touch.<br/><br/>Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.com<br/><br/>Check out my Red Bubble shop<br/><br/>Subscribe to my newsletter for personal news, a look at 'behind the podcast', and a semi-regular chance of getting a postcard, notebook, or 'Alphabet of Britishness' mug from me (Chris just got one): https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show