Gertrude Bell

by Heather Lehr Wagner

Published 30 April 2004
Women Explorers chronicles the lives of six intrepid women whose hunger for adventure and knowledge compelled them on paths of discovery around the world. Their discoveries not only brought stores of information on topics ranging from ancient dinosaur fossils to life in Tibet, but also challenged the established roles of women in their fields. Bell became one of the most influential women in the British Empire during World War I, using her extensive knowledge of the Middle East to advise British commanders in the creation of the modern Middle East. She also applied her skills as an archaeologist and explorer to found the archaeological museum in modern-day Iraq.