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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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People File • Author

Iris Chang

Iris Chang was an American journalist, historian, and author best known for her 1997 book *The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II*.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Iris Chang was an American journalist, historian, and author. She is best known for her 1997 book *The Rape of Nanking* that brought global attention to the Nanjing Massacre.

What it is

Iris Chang was an American journalist and historian. Her 1997 book *The Rape of Nanking* examined the Nanjing Massacre and became an international bestseller. It was the first full-length English narrative of the event to reach a wide audience.

Why it matters

Chang’s work increased public awareness of the Nanjing Massacre and sparked debate on historical memory and accountability. She also wrote *Thread of the Silkworm* and *The Chinese in America*, focusing on Chinese and Chinese American history.

Key details

Chang was born in 1968 in Princeton, New Jersey, and studied at the University of Illinois and Johns Hopkins. She died by suicide in 2004. Her legacy includes bringing attention to overlooked episodes in Chinese history.

In short

  • American journalist, historian, and political activist.
  • Known for *The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II* (1997).
  • Work focused on Chinese and Chinese American history.
  • Died by suicide in 2004.
Canadian angle

Chang’s work is relevant to Canadian readers through its focus on Chinese diaspora history, Asian wartime memory, and broader discussions of historical justice and human rights.

Quick questions

Who was Iris Chang?
Iris Chang was an American journalist, historian, and author known for her work on Chinese and Chinese American history, especially the Nanjing Massacre.
What did Iris Chang write?
Her best-known books include *Thread of the Silkworm*, *The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II*, and *The Chinese in America: A Narrative History*.
How did Iris Chang die?
Iris Chang died by suicide on November 9, 2004, in Los Gatos, California.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Chang
    Supports: Birth and death dates; occupations; major books; general biography
  2. Museum of Chinese in America — https://www.mocanyc.org/collections/stories/iris-chang/
    Supports: Biographical overview; importance; The Rape of Nanking context
  3. University Laboratory High School — https://uni.illinois.edu/alumni/class_of_the_century/chang
    Supports: Education; publication of The Rape of Nanking; general biography
  4. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/iris-chang
    Supports: Birth details; prominence of The Rape of Nanking
  5. Committee of 100 — https://www.committee100.org/in-memoriam/irischang/
    Supports: Education; books written; bestseller status
  6. Iris Chang official site — https://www.irischang.net/about/
    Supports: Book publication details; bestseller claims; narrative about The Rape of Nanking
  7. China.org.cn — https://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/112073.htm
    Supports: Death by suicide; description of The Rape of Nanking
  8. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/chang-iris-1968-2004
    Supports: Major works and biographical overview