# Sherif Zeid — Seven Pillars of Wisdom character guide

> Sherif Zeid in Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Zeid, Emir Zeid, young Zeid

**First appearance:** 0016-xii

## Snapshot

Hussein's younger son, a cautious commander whose hesitation at Tafileh forces Lawrence to seize the initiative on the ridge himself.

## Who they are

Zeid is the youngest of the Sherifian brothers in the field, a commander whose instinct is to wait for confirmation before moving his men. At Tafileh, Lawrence wants him forward at once, but Zeid insists on exact word from Abdulla; Lawrence, exasperated, rides off to the front alone and plants Zeid's Ageyl on the skyline as a makeshift reserve. His caution is not cowardice but a different theory of command, and his presence shows how much of the revolt's success depended on Lawrence's willingness to act without permission.

## In the story

### [Book I: The Discovery of Feisal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-i-the-discovery-of-feisal)

Found to be too cool.

### [Departure from Rabegh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/x)

Ali's young half-brother; present at Lawrence's departure, described as shy and calm.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xiii)

Half-brother of Ali, called from Jidda with reinforcements to Rabegh.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xvii)

Feisal's young half-brother, moving up from Rabegh to Wadi Safra as a nominal subordinate of Sherif Ali.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xviii)

Nearly captured by Turks at Bir Said but escapes with help from Sherif Abdulla ibn Thawab.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xix)

Mentioned in Mirzuk's story of the rout.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xx)

Leads a beaten force into Yenbo, remains indifferent, and jokes about the town's condition.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xxi)

Sent to Masahali and then to occupy Bir Said; defeated earlier, receives reinforcements from Ali.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xxii)

Zeid agrees to go to Rabegh to organize pinprick attacks in the Turks' rear.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xxiii)

Embarks on the Dufferin; Lawrence rushes to manage his departure.

### [Book VII: The Dead Sea Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-vii-the-dead-sea-campaign)

Lawrence's commander in the field; their misunderstanding contributes to the campaign's collapse.

### [LXXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxxxiv)

Feisal's half-brother, delegated to command the push toward the Dead Sea; arrived at Tafileh to restore order.

### [LXXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxxxv)

Initially detached and nonchalant, he consults with Lawrence and agrees to the aggressive plan; described as a cool and gallant fighter.

### [LXXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxxxvi)

Arrives with reinforcements and observes the battle's progress.

### [LXXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxxxvii)

In daily touch with tribes near Kerak, who plan to join him when he moves forward.

### [LXXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxxxix)

Lawrence delivers letters and money to Zeid at Tafileh; Zeid's men are encountered at Rasheidiya.

### [XC](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xc)

Lawrence's younger brother, who spent the gold meant for the offensive on local tribes for a defensive purpose, ruining Lawrence's plans. He is described as too young and shy to counter his dishonest counsellors.

### [XCI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xci)

Left in charge at Tafileh; Lawrence warns him of the coming Turkish retaking of the town.

### [XCII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/xcii)

Accompanies Lawrence to Shobek.

### [CVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/cvi)

Appointed by Hussein to succeed Feisal but promptly refuses the command.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/characters/zeid
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/characters