A #History# observation. First World War Spies #HistoryMatters# Kim Philby (One of the UKs most notorious double agents) father was a controversial figure and a spy of sorts. Harry St. John Bridger Philby (1885–1960) was a British Arabist, explorer, and key political adviser to King Abdulaziz ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia. A foundational figure in Middle Eastern history, he was the first European to cross the Rub' al-Khali (Empty Quarter) and was the father of the infamous Soviet double agent, Kim Philby. Born in what is now Sri Lanka, Philby studied oriental languages at the University of Cambridge before joining the Indian Civil Service. A First World War Spy: In late 1915, Percy Cox recruited Philby as head of the finance branch of the British administration in Baghdad. The position included fixing compensation for property and business owners. The mission was to organise the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks and to protect the oil fields in Abadan and the Shatt al Arab, which were a source of fuel for the Royal Navy. The revolt was organised with the promise of creating a unified Arab state, or Arab federation, from Aleppo, Syria, to Aden, Yemen. Gertrude Bell was his first controller and taught him the finer arts of espionage. In 1916 he became Revenue Commissioner for the British Occupied Territories. As an advisor to the King, In 1917, Philby was dispatched on a diplomatic mission to meet Ibn Saud. This sparked a lifelong admiration for the Arab ruler, leading Philby to eventually resign from the British foreign service. He converted to Islam in 1930, taking the name Abdullah, and became an unofficial confidant and advisor to King Ibn Saud. He spent decades charting the Arabian Peninsula, mapping its topography, and making significant contributions to archaeology and linguistics. Despite his love for Arabia, he remained a controversial figure in the UK, strongly criticizing British imperial policy in the Middle East. He was even arrested and interned in Britain in 1940 for his anti-war views. Philby lived in Saudi Arabia for decades but was expelled in 1955 after he publicly criticized the extravagance and inefficiency of the oil-enriched Saudi regime. His personal legacy was overshadowed by his son, Harold "Kim" Philby, who became one of the most notorious Soviet double agents of the 20th century. For me a question will always be did Kim Philby's father's actions have an influence on him and what happened in history. #History# #MiddleEast# #spies# @GreatWarGroup