Robert Duncan McChesney (born May 10, 1944[1]) is a scholar of the social and cultural history of Central Asia, Iran, and Afghanistan.
McChesney’s academic focus has been on the history Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan from the time of the Mongol conquest through the early 20th century.
He has taken a particular interest in the works of Afghan scholar Fayz Muhammad, in particular his monumental history of Afghanistan, Sirajul Tawarikh.
McChesney has also written a translation of Fayz Muhammad's account of the 1929 Afghan Civil War.
McChesney is held in high regard by his peers for his meticulous use of primary sources and fluency in several languages.