Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Character

General Allenby

The British commander whose sheer, self-sufficient greatness Lawrence both craved and feared, directing the Palestine campaign that the Arab revolt must serve.

supporting

Also known as Allenby, General Allenby, little Allenby

First appearance: li

As a supporting figure in Seven Pillars of Wisdom, General Allenby is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referred to as Sir Archibald Murray; requests a sustained attack to destroy the retreating enemy.

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Allenby arrives in Lawrence's narrative as the one man who comes nearest to his longing for a master — an idol 'prismatic with the unmixed self-standing quality of greatness,' before whom ordinary intelligence and imagination look silly. Lawrence admits he had to avoid him, 'not daring to bow down for fear lest he show feet of clay.' As commander-in-chief in Palestine, Allenby is the hinge between the Arab irregular war and British strategy, and his looming presence tests whether Lawrence's revolt can keep its own soul while serving an empire.

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Character Web

45 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Arab Revolt Leadership
Protagonist
Diverse Support Figures
British Command & Diplomacy

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Lawrence confronts his own fraudulent self-i…

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In the story

General Allenby appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book III: A Railway Diversion
Referred to as Sir Archibald Murray; requests a sustained attack to destroy the retreating enemy.
Book V: Marking Time
Assumes responsibility for Feisal's operations and equipment as the Arab forces become the virtual right wing of his army.
LVI
Newly appointed commander; meets Lawrence, listens to his strategic plans, agrees to support him.
LVIII
Joint Commander-in-Chief under whom Feisal's army will now serve.
Book VI: The Raid Upon the Bridges
Preparing a general attack against the Turks along his whole front.
LXIX
New British commander whose breadth of personality revitalizes the army; his plan for the Gaza-Beersheba attack is central to the chapter.
LXX
Requests the bridge operation by November 5th to support his advance.
Book VII: The Dead Sea Campaign
British commander; assigns the limited objective, receives Lawrence's report of failure, and sends him back to Feisal with new powers.
XC
Lawrence travels to his headquarters to confess his failure and ask for a smaller role elsewhere. Allenby's advance is mentioned as making noise in the Jordan Valley.
XCI
Directs the conference, orders support for the Arab Army, and plans the British advance across the Jordan.
The Ruin of High Hope
British commander; co-architect of the triple plan, forced to withdraw British units due to German advance in Flanders.
XCV
Commander-in-Chief who grants Lawrence two thousand camels despite Q's objections.
XCVII
Confirms a grand offensive in September and blesses the transfer of contingents.
Balancing for a Last Effort
Plans autumn offensive; rapidly embodies reliefs from India and Mesopotamia to achieve near balance of forces.
XCVIII
Outlines the offensive plan centered on deception; expresses confidence in capturing thirty thousand prisoners; approves the loan of the Camel Corps.
CIII
Lawrence considers Allenby as the closest to his longings for a master, but avoids him for fear of disillusionment. He praises Allenby's greatness as self-sufficient and instinctive, beyond ordinary qualities.
The House Is Perfected
Attacks and scatters Turkish armies, arrives in Damascus to smooth out difficulties.
CXIII
At headquarters, calm and confident, planning the next thrusts across Jordan.
CXIX
Mentioned as the strategic genius behind the victory, whose trust and planning enabled the Arab entry.
CXXII
Arrives in Damascus, approves Lawrence's provisional Arab government, and grants Lawrence permission to leave.
Portraits
Portrait by Kennington.

Chapter companion notes

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See General Allenby in li

See General Allenby in Book III: A Railway Diversion