Origins & Early Life

Joseph Ernest Renan ( ruh-NAHN; French: [ʒozɛf ɛʁnɛst ʁənɑ̃]; 27 February 1823 – 2 October 1892) was a French Orientalist and Semitic scholar, writing on Semitic languages and civilizations, historian of religion, philologist, philosopher, biblical scholar, and critic. He wrote works on the origins of early Christianity, and espoused popular political theories especially concerning nationalism, national identity, and the superiority of White people over other human races. Renan is among the first scholars to advance the Khazar theory, which held that Ashkenazi Jews were descendants of the Khazars, Turkic peoples who had adopted the Jewish religion and allegedly migrated to central and eastern Europe following the collapse of their khanate. On this basis he alleged that the Jews were "an incomplete race." He led an archaeological expedition "Mission to Phoenicia.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

1864-1874" to Lebanon, Syria and Palestine trying to track the ancient Phoenicians. He was born at Tréguier in Brittany, in northwestern France, to a family of fishermen. His grandfather, having made a small fortune with his fishing smack, bought a house at Tréguier and settled there, and his...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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