John Joseph Saunders (17 June 1910 – 25 November 1972) was a British historian whose work focused on medieval Islamic and Asian history.
Geoffrey Rice wrote of him: John Saunders was an only child, and books were his best companions from an early age.
At school at Mount Radford in Exeter he showed particular aptitude for languages, literature and history.
John Saunders was too shy to make friends easily, but all his life he was a faithful correspondent, sustaining his friendships over long distances and periods of time.
Saunders's reputation as an outstanding university teacher is well attested from many sources, and generations of Canterbury graduates remember him with affection and admiration.