Thesiger, Wilfred, 1910-2003

Variant names

Hide Profile

Thesiger, Sir Wilfred Patrick (1910-2003), Knight, Diplomat, Author and Traveller.

Born 3 June 1910, son of Captain Wilfred Gilbert Thesiger and Kathleen Mary. Educated at Eton College and Magdalen College, Oxford University. Received a grant from the Royal Geographical Society in 1935 to explore the Aussa Sultanate and the country of Abyssinia between 1933-1934. Joined the Sudan Political Service and served in desert campaigns between 1935-1940. Joined the North and East African Campaign with rank of Major during World War II. Worked in Arabia with the Desert Locusts Research Organization between 1945-1949. Explored the Empty Quarter (desert of southern Arabia) between 1946-1950. From 1950 onwards, explored French West Africa, Iraq, Kurdistan, Pakistan, Persia and Kenya. Lived with Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq over seven years from 1950 to the Iraqi Revolution. Returned to England in 1994. Died 24 August 2003.

From the guide to the Sir Wilfred Thesiger Collection, c1954, (Middle East Centre Archive, St Antony's College, Oxford)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Sir Wilfred Thesiger Collection, c1954 St. Antony's College (University of Oxford). Middle East Centre Archive
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
Place Name Admin Code Country
Iraq
Subject
Ethnic groups
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1910-06-03

Death 2003-08-24

Britons

English

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68j3qd1

Ark ID: w68j3qd1

SNAC ID: 22823578