Record Number: 30910
Reading Experience:
Evidence:
'Came to Damascus and read "Arabia Deserta" all the way. Still autumn in the Beqa', leaves brown and gold, gold and green on the poplars.'
Century:1900-1945
Date:25 Nov 1913
Country:Lebanon and Syria
Timedaytime
Place:other location: en route between Beirut and Damascus, possibly in the train
Type of Experience(Reader):
silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
(Listener):
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
Reader / Listener / Reading Group:
Reader: Age:Adult (18-100+)
Gender:Female
Date of Birth:16 Jul 1868
Socio-Economic Group:Gentry
Occupation:Linguist, traveller, archaeologist, information gatherer for British governement and Middle East political advisor
Religion:originally Christian (Anglican) by now declared atheist
Country of Origin:England
Country of Experience:Lebanon and Syria
Listeners present if any:e.g family, servants, friends
n/a
Additional Comments:
n/a
Text Being Read:
Author: Title:Travels in Arabia Deserta
Genre:Geography / Travel
Form of Text:Print: Book
Publication DetailsMust have been first edn. (1888) Cambridge ('at the University Press'). since 2nd edn., with introduction by T. E. Lawrence, did not appear until 1921
Provenanceowned
almost certainly owned
Source Information:
Record ID:30910
Source - Manuscript:Other
Information:
Gertrude Bell Archive Newcastle University Library http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk
Additional Information:
Diary entry 25 November 1913 http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk/diary_details.php?diary_id=1007
Citation:
Gertrude Bell Archive Newcastle University Library http://www.gerty.ncl.ac.uk, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=30910, accessed: 18 May 2024
Additional Comments:
In one biography (Howell 2006) it is claimed that Gertrude Bell always kept this book with her on her travels, though no evidence is given. In view of her relationship with Doughty's nephew, Dick Doughty-Wylie, it is not reasonable to assume there may have been serial reading experiences.
