Jonathan D. Spence is a British-born historian and public intellectual specializing in Chinese history. He is a Professor Emeritus of Yale University where he was Sterling Professor of History from 1993 to 2008. A distinguished historian, prolific author, reviewer, and essayist, he has written numerous books on China. Including notably The Search for Modern China (1990); The Gate of Heavenly Peace: The Chinese and Their Revolution 1895-1980  (1981); The Chan’s Great Continent: China in Western Minds (1998); Mao Zedong (1999); The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci (1984); and The Death of Woman Wang(1978). 

In May and June 2008 he gave the 60th anniversary Reith Lectures, broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Spence’s major interest is modern China, and especially its relations with the West. Spence was named a MacArthur Fellow and has received ten honorary degrees and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Other honors include the C.M.G. (Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George) from Queen Elizabeth II.