Admiration for Gertrude Bell
Earls Croome WI members, who meet at Ripple, were treated to a stimulating presentation about Gertrude Bell given by local woman Jan Long, who lives in Bromsberrow Heath.
Illustrated with slides, Jan’s talk gave a snapshot into the life of this British Heroine who helped map out the boundaries of modern day Iraq and Gertrude’s influence on Winston Churchill amongst others to ensure Faisal became King in Iraq in 1921, following the famous Cairo Conference at which Bell was the only woman to be present in these high level negotiations. Traveller, photographer, spy, cartographer, writer and brilliant linguist and friend to the Arabic speaking peoples, Gertrude Bell died in mysterious circumstances on 12th July 1926. She is now the subject of a film by German Director Werner Herzog, entitled ‘Queen of the Desert’ which is due to be released this year. A well known authority on Bell, Jan who has attended a private screening of the film urged everyone to see it, saying that Nicole Kidman who takes the part of Gertrude is remarkable.
Anne Scott the speaker secretary said “We are full of admiration for Gertrude Bell and following Jan’s excellent talk, there were lively discussions which carried on over refreshments and we are very grateful to have the opportunity of learning more of this forgotten Victorian extraordinary woman.”
Jan Long
01531 650036
[email protected]
the Gertrude Bell Society
Earls Croome WI members, who meet at Ripple, were treated to a stimulating presentation about Gertrude Bell given by local woman Jan Long, who lives in Bromsberrow Heath.
Illustrated with slides, Jan’s talk gave a snapshot into the life of this British Heroine who helped map out the boundaries of modern day Iraq and Gertrude’s influence on Winston Churchill amongst others to ensure Faisal became King in Iraq in 1921, following the famous Cairo Conference at which Bell was the only woman to be present in these high level negotiations. Traveller, photographer, spy, cartographer, writer and brilliant linguist and friend to the Arabic speaking peoples, Gertrude Bell died in mysterious circumstances on 12th July 1926. She is now the subject of a film by German Director Werner Herzog, entitled ‘Queen of the Desert’ which is due to be released this year. A well known authority on Bell, Jan who has attended a private screening of the film urged everyone to see it, saying that Nicole Kidman who takes the part of Gertrude is remarkable.
Anne Scott the speaker secretary said “We are full of admiration for Gertrude Bell and following Jan’s excellent talk, there were lively discussions which carried on over refreshments and we are very grateful to have the opportunity of learning more of this forgotten Victorian extraordinary woman.”
Jan Long
01531 650036
[email protected]
the Gertrude Bell Society
Gertrude Bell in Baghdad
