[الجامع]

Introduction

Dickson family writes several books about Kuwait & gulf region, like Arab of deserts & Kuwait & her neighbors by H.R.P Dickson & Kuwait was my home & a new look at Kuwait by Zahra Freeth. This article will cover the books of Violet Dickson

Books & Article

The Wild Flowers of Kuwait and Bahrain London: George Allen & Unwin-1955
Forty Years in Kuwait London: George Allen & Unwin-1971

A visit to Maskan and Auha Islands in the Persian Gulf off Kuwait, May 7th, 1942 Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 43, 258-264 -Reprinted in Ahmadi Newsletter 7, 5-12- 1942

Violet Dickson wrote an introduction to Kuwait's Natural History: An Introduction edited by David Clayton. Kuwait: Kuwait Oil Company -1983

Gallery

A gallery of photographs from the Violet Dickson Collection from Middle East Center of St Antony's College

Book

Readers of Colonel H.R.P Dickson's two monumental books The Arab of the Desert and Kuwait and her Neighbors- both of which are standard works on these fascinating and important regions, and still in constant demand – will have some idea of what to expect of this, his widow's autobiography. It is of course, a much more personal book, but it is permeated by the same enthusiasm for the desert world and its inhabitants, their customs and beliefs and traditions, all of which the author conveys with great warmth and understanding

She first arrived in the Middle East in 1920 as a young bride, and she describes her experiences as the wife of political agent in parts that were still undeveloped. It was there that she met a whole group of people who were joined by their enthusiasm for Araby- Bretram Thomas ( who was later the first to cross the Empty Quarter), H.St Johan Philipy ( the great authority on Arabia), and Gertrude Bell( the explorer); apart from sir Percy Cox and their fellows in Government service. It was here too that she first came into close contact with the badawin, amongst whom she later travelled far and wide throughout the region on terms of great intimacy

After a short spell in India, she and her husband returned to the gulf and began their life in Kuwait. She saw the old Kuwait which existed before oil was discovered there; she saw enormous changes to people, and their way of life, and to the towns and landscape- that came with the oil companies after 1933; she knew the Shaikhs as well tribesmen and nomads; she met Ibn Saud. She travelled to see places of archaeological interest, took part in tribal weddings and other festivities, and made lifelong friends everywhere among the Arabs

And when Colonel Dickson died she stayed in Kuwait, since for her the 'desert still calls'. Now she is virtually an institution there, recognized everywhere and greeted affectionately by the Arabs. She was created a Dame of the order of the British Empire in 1976

Hillah, 1929. Author & Husband


Author in Arab Dress


Author with Tame Gazelle


Harold After a Game of Polo



The Old Political Agent KUWAIT

The Residency at Bushire



Bikaner. H.H:The Mahrajah: Sadul Singh in Gujner Palace


Bikaner, Lallgrah Palace 1925


Group of Residency Staff at Bushire


Historic photo of King Ibn Saud at Khabari Wadha & H.R.P Dickson


H.R.P Dickson 1919


Hawaking Hubara in Kuwait Shaikh Ahmad Aljabir with Violet & Harlod Dickson


Bomber Squardron At Jahra


Bomber in Action Against Rebels

Harold Entertaining Kuwaiti in his Office


Harold & Author in Drawing Room