Gertrude Bell (1868 – 1926) was a truly extraordinary woman. She was born into a wealthy and privileged family in the North East of England but chose to spend much of her life far from home as a traveller, explorer and archaeologist. During and after WWI her extensive knowledge of the Middle East as well as Arabic language and culture led to her working for the British Government. She was a key figure in the discussions that led to the creation of the state of Iraq following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. Frequently she was the only woman contributing to decisions that shaped the political map of the Middle East. Towards the end of her life she devoted herself to the heritage of Iraq, setting up the National Museum in Baghdad and writing the country’s first antiquities laws. Her legacy as a diplomat, archaeologist and writer is still of great significance today, not least in the political situation in the Middle East.
Gertrude Bell has left extraordinary accounts of her numerous adventures in her books, but you can also look at her photos, letters and diaries to know more about this extraordinary woman!
Now it is your time to tell the story of your adventures! Write a diary page or a letter in which you describe an adventure you had. Don’t forget to mention: when did it happen? Where was it? How did it make you feel?
Descriptive writing, letter writing, geography.