Joseph Ernest Renan (; 28 February 1823 – 2 October 1892) was a French expert of Middle East ancient languages and civilizations (
philology),
philosopher,
historian, and writer, devoted to his native province of
Brittany. He is best known for his influential historical works on early Christianity, and his
political theories, especially concerning nationalism and
national identity. Renan is credited as being among the first scholars to advance the
Khazar theory, which held that
Ashkenazi Jews were descendants of Turkic peoples who had adopted Jewish religion and migrated to Western Europe following the collapse of their
khanate.