LAWRENCE (T.E.)

Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A Triumph, PRIVATELY PRINTED EDITION, INSCRIBED BY LAWRENCE "INCOMPLETE COPY. I.XII.26 T.E.S." on p.XIX, [Printed for the author by Manning Pike and H.J. Hodgson, 1926]

Footnotes

A FINE ASSOCIATION COPY OF THE PRIVATELY PRINTED EDITION OF SEVEN PILLARS, belonging to George Lloyd, who worked alongside Lawrence in Arabia during the time described in Chapters 71 to 73 of the book. Some 170 copies with a full complement of plates were sold to subscribers. In terms of association, these are not as interesting as the 32 or so "incomplete copies" (lacking some plates, but textually complete) which were given by Lawrence to close friends and colleagues who had served with him during the Arab campaign.

Seven Pillars is "a personal, emotional narrative of the Arab revolt in which Lawrence reveals how by sheer willpower he made history. It was a testimony to his vision and persistence and a fulfillment of his desire to write an epic ... its climax is the Arab liberation of Damascus, a victory which successfully concludes a gruelling campaign and vindicates Lawrence's faith in the Arab" (ODNB). Lloyd first met Lawrence in 1914, whilst working for the Intelligence Department in Cairo, liked him immediately ("a very remarkable fellow"), helped plan the Arab Revolt with him and, in 1917, accompanied him on a mission to destroy the main bridge on the railway line from Mecca, and onwards to El Jaffer. In Seven Pillars Lawrence describes Lloyd, who was riding a horse gifted to him by Emir Feisel, as "one of the best fellows and least obtrusive travellers alive... [he] was the rare sort... who could eat anything with anybody, anyhow and at any time", and on parting with him at the end of the journey, remarked "It was a sorry thing to see Lloyd go. He was understanding, helped wisely, and wished our cause well. Also he was the one fully-taught man with us in Arabia, and in these few days together our minds had ranged abroad discussing any book or thing in heaven or earth which crossed our fancy". A portrait of Lloyd by William Roberts is included in Seven Pillars.

In August 1917 Lloyd, writing from Cairo to Sir Reginald Wingate, predicted with great prescience the success of Seven Pillars, stating that Lawrence "has done wonderful good work and will some day be able to write a unique book. Generally the kind of man capable of these adventures lacks the pen and wit to record them adequately. Luckily Lawrence is specially gifted with both" (quoted in John Charmley, Lord Lloyd and the Decline of the British Empire, 1987). Their friendship endured until Lawrence's death, Lloyd attending his funeral, and naming his country house Clouds Hill in tribute to Lawrence's cottage home.

Provenance: George Lloyd, Baron Lloyd of Dolobran (1879-1941); by descent to the present owner.