مكتبة الملك عبدالعزيز العامة تستحوذ على مجموعة جورج رينتز التي تُبرز الروابط التاريخية الوثائقية بين السعودية وأمريكا
The documents and memoirs of American orientalist George Rentz serve as a vital historical archive detailing the close relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States. This relationship traces its origins to the 1930s, following the unification of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud.
The King Abdulaziz Public Library houses a comprehensive collection of rare documents, memoirs, photographs, and diaries from Rentz. His scholarly work emerged during his tenure as a translator and researcher for the Arabian American Oil Company, known as ARAMCO. Over a span of 17 years, from 1946 to 1963, Rentz produced a significant body of knowledge that documented contemporary Saudi history and the nascent phase of Saudi-American relations.
His collection at the King Abdulaziz Public Library provides invaluable insight into the foundational ties between the kingdom and the U.S., focusing on the early development of the oil industry in Saudi Arabia, the most prominent oil fields, and the historical evolution of ARAMCO—an economic powerhouse in the Middle East that epitomizes the Saudi-American relationship in the petroleum sector. The documents highlight numerous political, economic, commercial, and cultural agreements that have shaped the dynamics of these bilateral relations.
During his career, Rentz meticulously recorded the oral histories of various tribes and published a series of brochures for ARAMCO, capturing the essence of local narratives. His library contains a staggering total of 8,948 rare documents, of which 1,175 are in Arabic and 6,224 in English. Additionally, there are 1,367 press clippings and 182 memos and reports, many of which are closely linked to the historical developments of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, as well as the broader Middle East.
These documents collectively illustrate the historical trajectory of Saudi-American relations, including records of oil agreements between Saudi Arabia and several American companies. Rentz documented American media coverage regarding King Saud’s visit to the United States, reflecting the significance of this diplomatic engagement.
Moreover, the library encompasses numerous foreign-language books that chronicle pivotal political events and historical occurrences within Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Among the notable documents is one detailing the first national conference on aviation in Saudi Arabia, held on Sunday, September 16, 1962, which addressed the Chicago Convention on Civil Aviation. Other materials include documents about the developments within ARAMCO, the Tapline project, and various economic development initiatives and investments in oil and minerals between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The collection features proposals concerning labor regulations at ARAMCO and the mineral resources in the eastern and southern parts of the kingdom. Additionally, there is a letter from King Abdulaziz, addressing the president of ARAMCO, regarding the determination of the gold pound and oil prices.
In summary, the archives of George Rentz not only preserve a crucial part of Saudi-American history but also illuminate the intricate tapestry of their bilateral relations. The collection at the King Abdulaziz Public Library thus serves an essential role in understanding the historical context and evolution of interactions between these two nations, particularly within the framework of the burgeoning oil industry and its economic implications.
