|
Journal
of the T. E. Lawrence Society Vol. VI, No. 2 Spring 1997 Edited by Philip Kerrigan Jerome Bertram: 'Brass Rubbing' (6-12)
Medieval
history was a subject that attracted Lawrence at an early age and Oxford
afforded him opportunities for pursuing his interest. Excursions to
local churches and archaeological sites enabled him to participate in
brass rubbing and to collect artefacts. Father Bertram's paper on brass rubbing provides a useful introduction to the craft and gives an indication of why Lawrence was so enthusiastic about this activity. A number of his rubbings can be seen in the Ashmolean Museum. Maureen Mellor: 'Potsherds and Plasticine: Lawrence the Collector' (13-30)
Maureen
Mellor is an archaeologist who has specialised in medieval pottery and
has a particular interest in the collection at the Ashmolean. She is
well qualified to describe the excavations that took place in Oxford at
the time when Lawrence was searching building sites and collecting
potsherds. Maureen relates how the young Lawrence established a rapport
with Assistant Keepers C. F. Bell and E.T.Leeds, a rapport which
developed into lasting friendships. Malcolm Brown: 'Behind the Genteel Façade' (31-48) Malcolm Brown's contribution to the 1996 Symposium was an after-dinner talk. It dealt with the relationship between Lawrence's unmarried parents, and its effect upon Lawrence. One can do no better than to quote Jeremy Wilson who said that he thought it 'should be rightly described as a performance...carried off with the brilliance one has come to expect from Malcolm.' Edward Maggs: 'From Carchemish to Cair Paravel' (49-57) To the avid book-collector, few things are quite so welcome as hearing an experienced bookseller expound on the buying and selling of books, with all its ramifications. When that bookseller is Edward Maggs, who is not only one of the leading practitioners in the antiquarian field but also has Lawrencian interests, then your collector is indeed fortunate. Susan Warren: 'Thomas Hardy and T. E. Lawrence: A Literary Friendship' (58-68) Susan Warren's article analyses Lawrence's relationship with Thomas Hardy and his possible influence on Hardy's later poetry. Lawrence's ability to initiate friendships with a wide variety of people has been commented on before. Although it is unsurprising that he should have been interested in Hardy's writing, the disparity in their ages and backgrounds did not prevent a close bond being formed. Susan holds an M.A. in Medieval and Renaissance English Literature,. She is currently on the staff of the English Department at Widener University, Pennsylvania. Robert Franks: 'The "Categorical Imperative in Skirts" who loved the "Prince of Mecca"' (69-80)
Simone Weil
In
1938 Simone Weil read Seven Pillars of Wisdom. It had a profound effect
upon her. The French philosopher was at once attracted to the author and,
after reading Lawrence's letters, she corresponded with David Garnett
expressing a wish, unfulfilled, to read The Mint. Robert Franks' primary interest in Lawrence is the influence he exerted upon such philosophers and writers as Weil and Jean Genet. His article begins with a brief account of Weil's life and proceeds to discuss the reasons she found Lawrence such an absorbing person. Robert has a B.A. in Fine Arts and an M.A. in English, and since 1972 has taught at the Los Angeles Unified School District. He has published a number of articles on Lawrence and on a variety of arts subjects. Previous: Contents of Vol. VI, No. 1 Next: Contents of Vol. VII, No. 1 You can buy issues of the Journal from the online shop. It is not necessary to be a member of the T. E. Lawrence Society. |
