John Legge (1921-2016): AO, FASSA, FAHA: Historian, Southeast Asianist, Institutions Builder

Abstract

This memorial essay pays tribute to John Legge's academic career as a student and educator (especially his time at Monash and including a sabbatical at Cornell). It also touches on his interests, personal life, political and civic positions, and writings. Legge's two best known works on Indonesia are a biography of Indonesia's founding statesman, Sukarno (Sukarno: A Political Biography, first published in 1972); and a highly innovative general history (Indonesia, first published in 1964). The general history is remarkable in bringing together Legge's desire to understand Indonesia, especially the historical processes that shaped the country, with his commitment to making theoretical advances in the discipline of history. Indonesia is an achievement in interdisciplinary collaboration, with the historian Legge reaching out to a range of social scientists. A bibliography of his major works is included as well as a list of publications about Legge.