George Thompson discusses his book Seeing Arabia, exploring T. E. Lawrence’s remarkable photography and visual thinking during WW1.

Seeing Arabia

Join George Thompson for a fascinating talk based on his acclaimed book, Seeing Arabia, published in 2024 by Lorenzo de’ Medici Press in association with the T. E. Lawrence Society.

Seeing Arabia is the first study to examine T. E. Lawrence’s wartime photographs as both visual and historical objects. Through over 165 photographs and six maps, George explores Lawrence’s remarkable images of Arabia, offering a new perspective on one of the most complex and enigmatic figures of the 20th century.

The book’s combination of narrative and rarely seen photographs reveals Lawrence as a remarkable visual thinker, providing new insights into both the man and his experience of war.

George Thompson is a historian, visual artist, author and lecturer based in the Greater Kansas City area of the United States. With graduate degrees in Modern European History and a Master of Fine Arts, as well as over 25 years’ experience as a university professor and academic administrator, George brings a unique perspective to his study of T. E. Lawrence and First World War photography.

The book features a foreword by Alan Wakefield, Head of First World War & Early 20th Century Conflict at the Imperial War Museum, and a postscript by Jay Winter, Charles J. Stille Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University.

About the speaker

George Thompson is based in the Greater Kansas City area of the United States, where he lectures, writes and develops educational programmes on the First World War. His current research focuses on the life and work of T. E. Lawrence.

A historian and visual artist, George holds graduate degrees in Modern European History and a Master of Fine Arts. He also brings over 25 years of experience as a university professor and academic administrator, alongside extensive experience developing exhibitions and public programmes.

In recent years, George has combined his historical and artistic training to explore the role of photography during the First World War. This research led to his discovery of the remarkable collection of photographs taken by T. E. Lawrence, particularly during his time in Arabia. His findings formed the basis of Seeing Arabia, which explores Lawrence as a remarkable visual thinker.

George's research and expertise have led to invitations to lecture on T. E. Lawrence in both the United Kingdom and the United States. He is also a member of the Academic Advisory Committee of the National World War I Museum and Memorial and serves on the governing committee of the T. E. Lawrence Society.

His current research continues to explore Lawrence's post-war life, with a particular focus on his roles as a writer and patron of the arts.

All talks are free of charge.

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