The Origins of the Spy Myth: Portrayals of Gertrude Bell in Global and Turkish Historiography

Year 2024, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 226 - 249, 27.11.2024

Muhammed Nurullah Parlakoğlu

https://doi.org/10.19059/mukaddime.1490166

Abstract

This article analyses the shifting portrayal of Gertrude Bell in global and Turkish historiography, particularly the association of her travels with espionage. Drawing on a comparison of the literature and a review of the sources of existing studies, it argues that this perception is rooted in historical anxieties rather than concrete evidence. Although early accounts and personal testimonies do not mention espionage as a motivation for her travels, the idea that she was a spy has become prevalent in the global literature since 1978. This shift occurred around the time of the publication of influential works such as Edward Said's Orientalism and H.V.F. Winstone's books, which accused Bell of undermining British policy. Despite the online availability of Bell's archive since the 1990s, many scholars continue to rely on earlier biased sources due to the breadth and complexity of the archive. This perpetuates speculations and distorts perceptions of Bell. It is important to note that the first association of Bell's travels with espionage in Turkish academic circles was in Semavi Eyice's 1978 article. The publication of these critical works suggesting espionage in the same year seems coincidental. However, it can be contextualised within the broader influence of the Cold War and the rise of national concerns. Thus, the recent Turkish academic discourse portraying Bell as a “femme fatale” responsible for the downfall of the Ottoman Empire reflects not only national anxieties surrounding territorial integrity, but also the influence of broader historical interpretations.

Keywords

gertrude bell, spy myth, Historiography, Orientalism, National Anxieties

Casusluk Mitinin Kökenleri: Gertrude Bell’in Küresel ve Türk Tarih Yazımındaki Tasvirleri

Abstract

Bu makale, Gertrude Bell'in küresel ve Türk tarih yazımında değişen tasvirini, özellikle de seyahatlerinin casuslukla ilişkilendirilmesini analiz etmektedir. Literatürün karşılaştırılması ve mevcut çalışmaların kaynaklarının gözden geçirilmesine dayanarak, bu algının somut kanıtlardan ziyade tarihsel kaygılardan kaynaklandığı öne sürülmektedir. Erken dönem anlatılarında ve kişisel tanıklıklarında seyahatlerinin motivasyonu olarak casusluktan bahsedilmemesine rağmen, 1978'den bu yana küresel literatürde casus olduğu fikri yaygınlaşmıştır. Bu değişim, Edward Said'in Oryantalizm'i ve H.V.F. Winstone'un Bell'i İngiliz politikasını baltalamakla suçlayan kitapları gibi etkili eserlerin yayınlandığı dönemde meydana gelmiştir. Bell'in arşivi 1990'lardan bu yana çevrimiçi olarak erişilebilir olmasına rağmen, arşivin genişliği ve karmaşıklığı nedeniyle birçok akademisyen daha önceki önyargılı kaynaklara güvenmeye devam etmektedir. Bu durum spekülasyonları devam ettirmekte ve Bell'e ilişkin algıları çarpıtmaktadır. Bell'in seyahatlerinin Türk akademik çevrelerinde casuslukla ilk kez Semavi Eyice'nin 1978 tarihli makalesinde ilişkilendirildiğini belirtmek önemlidir. Casusluğu ima eden bu eleştirel çalışmaların aynı yıl yayınlanması tesadüfi görünmektedir. Ancak bu durum, Soğuk Savaş'ın daha geniş etkisi ve ulusal kaygıların yükselişi bağlamında değerlendirilebilir. Dolayısıyla, Bell'i Osmanlı İmparatorluğu'nun çöküşünden sorumlu bir “femme fatale” olarak tasvir eden son dönem Türk akademik söylemi, yalnızca toprak bütünlüğüne ilişkin ulusal kaygıları değil, aynı zamanda daha geniş tarihsel yorumların etkisini de yansıtmaktadır.

Keywords

Gertrude Bell, Casusluk miti, tarih yazımı, oryantalizm, ulusal kaygılar

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