Not Always A Woman Hater (Press, 13 May 1976)

In a revealing article published in the "Sunday Times" on 13 May 1976, journalist Phillip Knightly explored new insights into the personal life of T. E. Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia. Despite prevalent claims by biographers that Lawrence was asexual and harboured a dislike for women, recent revelations shed light on a significant yet unrequited romantic experience he had at the age of 21 with a girl named Janet Laurie. This relationship is discussed in John Mack's book "A Prince of Our Disorder." Mack, an American psychiatrist, brought to light that Lawrence proposed to Janet, who was two years older than him, but was met with laughter and a refusal as she chose instead to marry his elder brother, Will. The nature of Lawrence's feelings for Janet might explain aspects of his complex personality and subsequent life choices. Previously, acquaintances, including Richard Aldington, suggested Lawrence was homosexual, but the new narrative emphasizes his genuine attempt at establishing a romantic connection with Janet. Lawrence and Janet met around 1894 when their families were neighbours. As undergraduate students at Oxford, they formed a bond, with Janet commenting on their playful interactions. However, as Lawrence's feelings grew serious, Janet remained oblivious to his affections and perceived him more like a brother. She chastised him for his reluctance to meet her gaze, to which he confessed that looking into her eyes caused him pain. The awkwardness culminated in a dinner invitation at the Lawrence household, where he proposed. The proposal was devoid of romantic gestures, leaving Janet embarrassed, leading to a moment of laughter rather than acceptance. Following this incident, Lawrence never revisited the topic, and Janet eventually pursued a relationship with Will, who did not survive the First World War. After the war, Janet married another man, Guthrie Hallsmith, and asked Lawrence to give her away. Although he initially consented, he withdrew at the last moment, indicating that the emotional hurt from his earlier rejection lingered. Following this experience, Lawrence never sought to form a serious romantic relationship with a woman again, opting instead to immerse himself in male-dominated circles, which allowed him to evade the complexities of female relationships. Mack notes that Lawrence remained a virgin until his untimely death in a motorcycle accident in 1935. This account challenges long-held perceptions of Lawrence, suggesting that a singular, significant unreciprocated love profoundly influenced his life and choices, revealing a more nuanced view of the man behind the legend.

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