Israel Gollancz
Encyclopedia
Sir Israel Gollancz was a scholar of early English literature
and of Shakespeare. He was Professor of English Language and Literature at King's College, London, from 1903 to 1930.
Gollancz was born 13 July 1863, in London, sixth of seven children of Rabbi Samuel Marcus Gollancz (1820–1900), cantor of the Hambro Synagogue, London, and his wife, Johanna Koppell. He was the younger brother of Sir Hermann Gollancz
and the uncle of the publisher Victor Gollancz
. In 1910, he married Alide Goldschmidt in London.
He was a founder member and the first Secretary (1902–1930) of the British Academy
and of the committee for a Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, which eventually became the Royal National Theatre
in London
, and he was the Director of the Early English Text Society. He edited the "Temple" Shakespeare, a uniform edition of the complete works in pocket size volumes which was the most popular Shakespeare edition of its day. He also produced a translation in modern English of the important medieval Christian allegorical poem, "Pearl
." He contributed works to the Dictionary of National Biography
. Gollancz was knighted in 1919.
Gollancz died on 23 Jun 1930, in London and was buried at the Jewish Cemetery at Willesden on 26 June. In the year of his death, the British Academy held a memorial lecture in his name, at which they unveiled a bust of Sir Israel. The British Academy awards the Sir Israel Gollancz prize for Early English Studies.
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
and of Shakespeare. He was Professor of English Language and Literature at King's College, London, from 1903 to 1930.
Gollancz was born 13 July 1863, in London, sixth of seven children of Rabbi Samuel Marcus Gollancz (1820–1900), cantor of the Hambro Synagogue, London, and his wife, Johanna Koppell. He was the younger brother of Sir Hermann Gollancz
Hermann Gollancz
Sir Hermann Gollancz was a British rabbi and Hebrew scholar. Gollancz was the first Jew to earn a doctor of literature degree from London University and the first holder of the degree to be ordained as a rabbi...
and the uncle of the publisher Victor Gollancz
Victor Gollancz
Sir Victor Gollancz was a British publisher, socialist, and humanitarian.-Early life:Born in Maida Vale, London, he was the son of a wholesale jeweller and nephew of Rabbi Professor Sir Hermann Gollancz and Professor Sir Israel Gollancz; after being educated at St Paul's School, London and taking...
. In 1910, he married Alide Goldschmidt in London.
He was a founder member and the first Secretary (1902–1930) of the British Academy
British Academy
The British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
and of the committee for a Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, which eventually became the Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and he was the Director of the Early English Text Society. He edited the "Temple" Shakespeare, a uniform edition of the complete works in pocket size volumes which was the most popular Shakespeare edition of its day. He also produced a translation in modern English of the important medieval Christian allegorical poem, "Pearl
Pearl (poem)
Pearl is a Middle English alliterative poem written in the late 14th century. Its unknown author, designated the "Pearl poet" or "Gawain poet", is generally assumed, on the basis of dialect and stylistic evidence, to be the author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Patience, and Cleanness or...
." He contributed works to the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
. Gollancz was knighted in 1919.
Gollancz died on 23 Jun 1930, in London and was buried at the Jewish Cemetery at Willesden on 26 June. In the year of his death, the British Academy held a memorial lecture in his name, at which they unveiled a bust of Sir Israel. The British Academy awards the Sir Israel Gollancz prize for Early English Studies.