“Dawdson” The Doctor – the Story of G.E. Dodson of Iran

Iran currently ranks #8 on my online poll, so here is a biography of Dr. G.E. Dodson, who served in that country until his death in 1937.

A Friend of Iran, “Dawdson” The Doctor. G.E. Dodson of Iran. London: The Highway Press, 1940. Hbk. pp.73. Click to download in PDF.

Contents

Introductory – “I Shall Fetch Dawdson—”
1 – Why He Came
2 – Sizing Up the Task
3 – Digging Foundations
4 – Holiday Hikes
5 – Alarums and Excursions
6 – Building at Last
7 – The Builder Hands Over His Tools

“I Shall Fetch Dawdson—“

It was summer time in Iran. A sudden clatter of feet and the sound of shouting broke the stillness of the warm, early morning. Malekeh, who had been sitting in a shady corner of the veranda, sleepily cleaning rice for dinner that night, jumped up and listened. Then she pulled her gaily-printed cotton wrap or chaddur around her so that only her eyes were visible, and ran across the courtyard and down the passage that led to the village street. What she saw as she looked up the rough pathway made her turn and shout back to her mother and the servant, who were busy stirring pots in the little smoke-blackened kitchen.

“Mother, Rababeh, come quickly. There’s been an accident.” And then as the little group carrying a small figure came nearer, she shrieked: “It’s Mahmoud! He’s dead. Allah! What shall we do?”

They all ran out crying, their chaddurs flying behind them, and when they reached the party Fatomeh Khanum fell on her knees beside her son, tearing her hair and scratching her cheeks. Malekeh took one look at her brother, saw his eyelids flutter, and shaking her mother by the shoulder said: “Khanum, he’s not dead after all. Don’t make that noise.” At that Mahmoud opened his eyes, gave a feeble grin, said: “What a hubbub, I’m not dead yet,” and fainted off again. [Continue Reading]