Wilfred Thesiger (1910-2003) was an English explorer, writer and photographer best known for his travels and expeditions in the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. Born to a British diplomat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Thesiger was raised in England but developed a deep connection to the lands and peoples of the Middle East.

After attending Eton College and Magdalen College, Oxford, Thesiger joined the Sudan Political Service where he began his explorations of the remote and rugged parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula. These travels formed the basis of his two most famous works, Arabian Sands and The Marsh Arabs, which chronicled his experiences living amongst the Bedouin of the Arabian Desert and the Marsh Arabs of southern Iraq.

Thesiger's expeditions were not mere adventurous pursuits, but rather opportunities to deeply immerse himself in the cultures and ways of life of the people he encountered. He was admired for his ability to gain access to remote and difficult-to-reach regions, often on foot, and for his respect and admiration for the communities he lived amongst.

In addition to his literary contributions, Thesiger was also an accomplished photographer, capturing images of the landscapes, people, and wildlife he encountered on his travels. His photography has been exhibited in galleries around the world and has inspired many contemporary photographers.

Throughout his life, Thesiger was honored with numerous awards and recognition for his contributions to exploration, literature, and photography. He lived a life of adventure and devotion to the cultures and peoples he encountered, inspiring many to follow in his footsteps and discover the beauty and richness of the world beyond their own borders.