# General Allenby — Seven Pillars of Wisdom character guide > General Allenby in Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Allenby, General Allenby, little Allenby **First appearance:** 0058-li ## Snapshot The British commander whose sheer, self-sufficient greatness Lawrence both craved and feared, directing the Palestine campaign that the Arab revolt must serve. ## Who they are 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. ## In the story ### [Book III: A Railway Diversion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-iii-a-railway-diversion) Referred to as Sir Archibald Murray; requests a sustained attack to destroy the retreating enemy. ### [Book V: Marking Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lvi) Newly appointed commander; meets Lawrence, listens to his strategic plans, agrees to support him. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lviii) Joint Commander-in-Chief under whom Feisal's army will now serve. ### [Book VI: The Raid Upon the Bridges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-vi-the-raid-upon-the-bridges) Preparing a general attack against the Turks along his whole front. ### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxix) New British commander whose breadth of personality revitalizes the army; his plan for the Gaza-Beersheba attack is central to the chapter. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxx) Requests the bridge operation by November 5th to support his advance. ### [Book VII: The Dead Sea Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xci) Directs the conference, orders support for the Arab Army, and plans the British advance across the Jordan. ### [The Ruin of High Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xcv) Commander-in-Chief who grants Lawrence two thousand camels despite Q's objections. ### [XCVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xcvii) Confirms a grand offensive in September and blesses the transfer of contingents. ### [Balancing for a Last Effort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-ix-balancing-for-a-last-effort) Plans autumn offensive; rapidly embodies reliefs from India and Mesopotamia to achieve near balance of forces. ### [XCVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xcviii) Outlines the offensive plan centered on deception; expresses confidence in capturing thirty thousand prisoners; approves the loan of the Camel Corps. ### [CIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-x-the-house-is-perfected) Attacks and scatters Turkish armies, arrives in Damascus to smooth out difficulties. ### [CXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/cxiii) At headquarters, calm and confident, planning the next thrusts across Jordan. ### [CXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/cxix) Mentioned as the strategic genius behind the victory, whose trust and planning enabled the Arab entry. ### [CXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/cxxii) Arrives in Damascus, approves Lawrence's provisional Arab government, and grants Lawrence permission to leave. ### [Portraits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/portraits) Portrait by Kennington. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/characters/allenby - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/characters