Harry St John Philby: British explorer who trekked across Saudi Arabia - in pictures

  • Harry St John Philby on his 1917 trek across the Arabian Peninsula, which he recorded in his 1922 book 'Heart of Arabia'. Matthew Tomkinson / Heart of Arabia Expedition
    Harry St John Philby on his 1917 trek across the Arabian Peninsula, which he recorded in his 1922 book 'Heart of Arabia'. Matthew Tomkinson / Heart of Arabia Expedition
  • The explorer in 1925. He was the first European to cross the Rub Al Khali, or Empty Quarter, of Arabia. Getty
    The explorer in 1925. He was the first European to cross the Rub Al Khali, or Empty Quarter, of Arabia. Getty
  • His trip across the Empty Quarter took Philby from Al Uqair in the east to Jeddah on the west.​​​​ Alamy
    His trip across the Empty Quarter took Philby from Al Uqair in the east to Jeddah on the west.​​​​ Alamy
  • The cliffs of Jaub Al Judairat, which Philby trekked across as part of his 1917 expedition in the region. Getty
    The cliffs of Jaub Al Judairat, which Philby trekked across as part of his 1917 expedition in the region. Getty
  • The Saudi desert in Hawaya, in a photo taken by Philby from one of his later excursions across the desert, in 1932. Royal Geographical Society via Getty
    The Saudi desert in Hawaya, in a photo taken by Philby from one of his later excursions across the desert, in 1932. Royal Geographical Society via Getty
  • An exhibition of pictures taken by Philby (1885-1960), on display at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    An exhibition of pictures taken by Philby (1885-1960), on display at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Philby, who was a British colonial officer, is recognised internationally for his work as an Arabist, explorer and writer. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Philby, who was a British colonial officer, is recognised internationally for his work as an Arabist, explorer and writer. Chris Whiteoak / The National