Thomas Edward Lawrence

"With Lawrence in Arabia" Lowell Thomas / [public domain] via Wikimedia

They are someone that you can always believe in, no matter what. They are someone who will never hurt you, never turn against you. They are someone who have had your goals and aspirations, and achieved them. They are everything you want to be and do. Who is they? They are your hero.

My hero is T.E. Lawrence.

Thomas Edward Lawrence was born in 1888, the second illegitimate son out of five. He and his family lived in Oxford, England. Growing up, he took a tour of Europe taking photographs of everything he had seen and the places he had been. He was able to rise out of his poverty and do the things he wished to do. That takes strength. He even took a three-month trek through the Sahara desert. He recorded everything he saw and did while he was there, learning the Arab culture and language along the way.

T.E. Lawrence Unknown author / [public domain] via Wikimedia

In 1914 he began his duty as a liaison officer to help the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. As Lawrence led the Arab people, his campaigns became known in Britain, making him famous. Lawrence had always wished to be remembered as a war hero, but he hated his wartime role. He admitted one day: “In the distant future, if the distant future deigns to consider my insignificance, I shall be appraised rather as a man of letters than a man of action.” He never let his feelings get in the way of his duty though, always keeping true. The revolt ended in 1916, letting him return home to Britain, and eventually he joined the Royal Air Force (RAF).

T.E. Lawrence, D.G. Hogarth, and Lt. Col. Dawnay Lowell Thomas / [public domain] via Wikimedia

He also wrote two books. One was The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and the other was The Mint. The first is about his life in service during the Arab Revolt. The second is about his service in the RAF.

T.E. Lawrence accomplished so much in his short life, for he died when he was 38. He became and accomplished everything I have ever dreamed of doing. He was brave, courageous, and dutiful. He became a pilot and wrote a work of art. I wish to follow in his footsteps to his glory.