Renzo De Felice (1929–1996) was a prominent Italian historian specializing in fascism and Benito Mussolini, known for his revisionist interpretations of Italian history. He was born on April 8, 1929, in Rieti, Italy, and is renowned for his extensive work on the Fascist era in Italy, particularly his monumental multi-volume biography of Benito Mussolini, spanning over 6,000 pages across four volumes published between 1965 and 1997. De Felice initially approached history through a Marxist lens, focusing on late 18th-century Italian revolutionaries during his early academic career, but his scholarship evolved significantly toward the study of fascism, international relations, and key events such as the Ethiopian War, the 1930s political landscape, and the issue of South Tyrol in Italian-German relations. He argued that Mussolini acted as a revolutionary modernizer in domestic policies while maintaining a pragmatic approach to foreign affairs, continuing Italy's Realpolitik traditions from unification in 1861 through 1922. This revisionist perspective challenged traditional antifascist narratives and positioned him as a controversial figure in Italian historiography.

De Felice's influence extended beyond his writings on Mussolini; he also authored significant works like 'The Jews in Fascist Italy: A History,' examining the regime's policies toward Jewish communities. His approach emphasized nuanced interpretations, rejecting simplistic moral judgments and advocating for 'scientific objectivity' in historical analysis. However, critics, including historian Philip Morgan, described his biography as 'a very controversial, influential and at the same time problematic re-reading of Mussolini and Fascism,' accusing it of lacking true impartiality and being influenced by political biases. Despite the debates, De Felice's rigorous research and prolific output made him one of the most eminent 20th-century Italian historians, shaping generations of scholarship on fascism.

In his later years, De Felice's legacy was honored through institutions like the Fondazione Ugo Spirito e Renzo De Felice in Rome, which preserves archival materials related to his work and Italian history. He passed away on May 25, 1996, leaving behind a body of work that continues to provoke discussion on the complexities of Italy's 20th-century past, including allegations of downplaying fascist atrocities in favor of a more sympathetic portrayal of Mussolini's regime.