Donald Leslie (academic)
British-born Australian historian (1922–2020)
Donald Leslie was a British-born Australian historian, renowned for his extensive research on the history of Chinese Jews, particularly those from Kaifeng. His work in this area contributed significantly to raising awareness about this community in the Western world. Leslie's expertise in both Hebrew and Chinese languages was a unique asset that enabled him to delve deeper into the subject matter, producing authoritative works that shed light on the experiences of Chinese Jews.
Leslie's scholarly output included notable books such as "The Survival of the Chinese Jews" and "Les juifs de Chine", which showcased his in-depth knowledge of the community. In addition to his work on Chinese Jews, Leslie also explored other topics, including Chinese Islam and the broader context of religious minorities in the People's Republic of China. Through his research and writings, Leslie demonstrated a commitment to understanding and documenting the complex histories of minority groups in China, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of history.