Life Stories
Leon Benbaruk
Leon Benbaruk (1972 BPhil Oriental Studies) died on 25 March 2025 aged 77.
Leon Benbaruk was born in Morocco in 1949 and later immigrated to Canada in 1964 before settling in New Zealand in 1980. He moved to the UK with his wife Michelle in 2022. As a Rhodes Scholar in 1972, he studied at Keble College and St Antony’s College, Oxford, where he where he focused on Modern Middle Eastern Studies. He later pursued further studies at SOAS in London in 1974 and earned a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies from McGill University in 1977, writing his thesis on the Moroccan monarchy and nationalism.
Passionate about the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Leon published numerous articles on the region and was consulted for his knowledge and insight. He considered Albert Hourani, his tutor at St Antony’s, to be his mentor. His lifelong interest in MENA was enriched by extensive travels throughout the region and by his commitment to fostering discussion and understanding, including as founder of SOCRATES CAFÉ, a discussion group focused on Middle Eastern and North African affairs.
Alongside his academic and intellectual pursuits, Leon built a successful business career in New Zealand and the UK as owner and director of Benfield Marketing Limited, supplying UK, Australian and New Zealand markets through government tenders and international sales to Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden.
Leon will be remembered for his intellectual curiosity, combined with his extensive knowledge of history and for his love of family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and his two sons from his first wife, Diana.
Kindly provided by his wife, Michelle.