T.E. Lawrence

 Grew Up… in Wales, in August 1888. Lawrence was born illegitimate to Sir Thomas Chapman, a Lord, and Sarah Junner, a governess. In 1896 the Lawrences moved to Oxford, where young Lawrence ended up going to college. It was during this time that he fell in love with the Middle East and first got the chance to practice archaeology and work on excavations.

Living… stationed as a lieutenant in Cairo. Lawrence is somewhat out of place at the barracks where he’s stationed. He isn’t like other men—and they know it.

Profession… British Army lieutenant. As an undergraduate, Lawrence joined the Officer Training Corps. Now during WWI, Lawrence is stationed in Egypt, where among other things the Army’s Arab Bureau is looking to assess the prospects of British ally Prince Faisal in his revolt against the Turks. Lawrence, relishing what any normal man would see as a death-sentence, volunteers to go alone to liaise with the Prince.

Interests… adventure. When embarking on the scorching journey through the desert, he is told by Dryden, his commanding officer, “Lawrence, only two kinds of creature get fun in the desert: Bedouins and gods, and you’re neither. Take it from me, for ordinary men, it’s a burning, fiery furnace.” When Lawrence insists that it’s going to be “fun,” Dryden responds, “It is recognized that you have a funny sense of fun.”

Relationship Status… single. Lawrence displays a sort of universal love, which has yet to materialize into love for one person.

Challenge… aiding Prince Faisal of Iraq, ally to the British Army, in his revolt against the Turks. Lawrence is not your typical guy. But being ordinary has its advantages—some of which Lawrence yearns for. Yet it seems he’s been chosen for greater things, and Lawrence’s challenge is to accept this calling to be extraordinary.

Personality… misfit, exuberant, and brave. A lesser man would call him foolhardy, but in Lawrence’s case, it must be deemed courage. When asked, “Have you no fear?” by his guide and companion, Sherif Ali, Lawrence answers, “My fear is my concern.”