Zhang Benren was born on May 28, 1929, in Huaiyuan County, Anhui, and died on November 1, 2016.

He was a Chinese geochemist.

Zhang studied geology at Nanjing University, graduating in 1952.

Then, he earned a degree from the Beijing Institute of Geology in 1956 and later became a faculty member.

Zhang Benren was named to the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1999 and also received the National Natural Science Award.

Zhang Benren passed away at 87 years old.