BENDA, Harry (Heinz) [J[indrich] (1919–1971)

Harry (Heinz) J[indrich] Benda was a most distinguished scholar of Southeast Asian studies with an immeasurable contribution and service to the region as well as to the many indigenous scholars that directly and indirectly benefited from his guidance and advice. With first-hand experience, prior and during the Japanese occupation (1942–5) of Indonesia, it gave rise to his initial academic interest in the region, but his scholastic scope successfully synthesized the region’s colonial and postcolonial history. With his specialization in political history, he was one of the first scholars as well as one of the foremost revisionists of the region’s checkered historical development.