New Lawrence of Arabia documents on show at Oxford college

Magdalen College has acquired a major collection of books, manuscripts, and iconography on the Arabist, soldier, and writer TE Lawrence, assembled over 50 years by Jeremy Wilson, Lawrence’s authorised biographer, whose publications dispelled many of the myths surrounding the legend and re-defined modern perceptions of him.

A house in Polstead Road, north Oxford, was Lawrence’s family home from 1896 to 1921.

He moved there aged eight and stayed until 1909, later returning from time to time.

It is where he spent his final year in the city before embarking on his travels in the Middle East, which would shape the rest of his military, diplomatic and literary career.

Daryl Green, College Librarian, said: “Magdalen is delighted to acquire this important research collection relating to Lawrence, one of the most celebrated 20th figures associated with the college, through the generosity of our alumni and other patrons.

“This acquisition significantly enlarges our Lawrence holdings and will provide future scholars with access to Wilson’s manuscripts and typescripts, his library of books by and about Lawrence, and his remarkable collection of iconographic materials relating to Lawrence.”

Mr Green said Magdalen’s collections now included volumes from Lawrence’s own library at Cloud’s Hill, first and limited editions of books by Lawrence, artefacts and archives which illustrate Lawrence’s time as a Senior Demy at Magdalen (1911-1914), and rare portraits which have previously been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery.

A selection of these items will be on display, together with important loans from private and public collections in Lawrence of Oxford, which will run from Wednesday until May 1.

TE Lawrence graduated from Jesus College in 1910 with first class honours and he was awarded a four-year’s Senior Demyship by Magdalen College. Jeremy Wilson, who died last year, first became interested in Lawrence as an undergraduate at Balliol College.