Born in Poland, Benzion Netanyahu came to Palestine in 1920 at the age of 10. While a student at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, he became involved in Zionist activities.

Through his writing and political work, he went on to become a key figure in the drive for statehood, and following the establishment of the state of Israel, Netanyahu devoted himself to his historical research.

His classic work, The Origins of the Inquisition, cemented his reputation as a historian of international renown. Netanyahu is Professor Emeritus at Cornell University and lives in Jerusalem.