Gertrude Bell

Gertrude Bell (1868–1926) was a British writer, archaeologist, and political officer whose advice and work helped shape Iraq under British mandate after the First World War.

T. E. Lawrence: A British archaeologist and intelligence officer who became a prominent liaison with Arab forces during the First World War. Bell and Lawrence both advised British policymakers on Arab affairs, though they differed over Iraq’s political future.
Iraq Museum: A national museum in Baghdad devoted to the archaeology and cultural heritage of Iraq. Bell helped establish the museum and became its first director of antiquities.
Mesopotamian campaign: The First World War campaign in which British and Ottoman forces fought for control of Mesopotamia. The campaign brought British military rule to the region where Bell later served as a political officer.
Kingdom of Iraq: The Hashemite monarchy established in 1921 that governed Iraq until the 1958 revolution. Bell helped shape the monarchy’s founding arrangements and supported Faisal as its first king.
Faisal I of Iraq: The Hashemite prince who became king of Iraq in 1921 and reigned until 1933. Bell supported Faisal’s selection as king and advised his new government.
Cairo Conference: A British imperial conference held in Cairo in March 1921 to settle policy in the Middle East. Bell participated in the conference that endorsed Faisal’s kingship and shaped British policy in Iraq.
San Remo Conference: A 1920 Allied conference that assigned Britain the mandate for Mesopotamia and Palestine. The conference established the international framework for Britain’s rule in Iraq.
Iraqi independence: The end of Iraq’s League of Nations mandate and its admission as an independent state in 1932. The state Bell helped organize gained formal independence six years after her death.
Winston Churchill: British politician who served as colonial secretary from 1921 to 1922. Churchill convened the 1921 Cairo Conference, where Bell helped formulate British policy for Iraq.
British Mandate for Mesopotamia: The League of Nations mandate under which Britain administered Iraq from 1920 until Iraqi independence in 1932. Bell’s political work took place within the British administration that governed Iraq under the mandate.

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