Gertrude Bell (l. 1868-1926) was an archaeologist, travel writer, explorer, and political administrator responsible for creating the borders of the countries of the Near East after World War I and, especially, for the foundation of the modern state of Iraq. She is still widely respected though the partitioning has been criticized as an exercise in Orientalism.
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Timeline
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1868 - 1926Life of explorer, archaeologist, writer, and political influencer Gertrude Lowthian Bell.
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1888Gertrude Bell is the first woman to graduate Oxford history program.
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1892Gertrude Bell lives with her uncle in Persia.
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1897Gertrude Bell and her brother Maurice embark on a tour of the world.
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1904Gertrude Bell explores the Near East alone.
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1909Gertrude Bell maps and photographs the Fortress of Ukhaidir.
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1914Gertrude Bell volunteers for the Red Cross after World War I breaks out.
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1915Gertrude Bell's true love killed in action at Gallipoli.
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1916 - 1925Gertrude Bell works as Intelligence Officer and Oriental Secretary for the British Government; is instrumental in establishing Iraq, tutoring its first king, and contributing to the partition of the Near East after World War I.
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12 Jul 1926Gertrude Bell dies at Baghdad from an overdose of sleeping pills.
