Rare book by friend of Coleridge returns to Highgate

Two centuries after Hurwitz dedicated his book Hebrew language elements ‘For the founders of the Jewish academy in Highgate’, the volume has returned to northern London.

Hurwitz not only established the second Jewish school in the country in South Grove, but was a friend and collaborator with his neighbor Samuel Taylor Colleridge.

Highgate historians Michael Hammerson and Peter Walton presented the copy of Hurwitz’s book to Highgate Lit and the SCI archivists, Susan Trackman and Hilary Laurie. (Image: Michael Hammerson) The poet helped him publish his book, and Highgate residents and local historians Michael Hammerson and Peter Walton have now presented a copy to the file in the literary and scientific institution of Highgate.

Michael explained: “While navigating the Internet book traffickers for Highgate material, I received a success of a bookstorer in Jerusalem that had a strange 1807 edition of Hebrew language elements.

“He asks me why: but then I read the subtitle of the book: ‘By Hyman Hurwitz, teacher of the Jewish academy, Highgate’. The preface, dated October 13, 1807, was dedicated and the cover was stamped with a red leather panel that indicates'”. ”

Hyman Hurwitz wrote the book and founded the Jewish academy in South Grove Highgate. (Image: Michael Hammerson) The Jewish academy was based on what is now Church House in South Grove. Peter Walton’s investigation revealed that Hurwitz was born in a Jewish family in Poznan, Poland, in 1770 and arrived in England in 1797.

He taught Hebrew and biblical studies in a secular school, then in 1799 he bought the house of the Church and opened what was then the second Jewish school in the country.

The Jewish academy, highgate, flourished with 100 children, a synagogue and a school for Jewish girls led by Hurwitz’s sister.

His neighbor, a few doors from Moreton House, was the poet Samuel Taylor Colleridge and the two shared an interest in Hebrew language and poetry.

They became close friends and collaborators, writing several poems together, including “Sorry for Israel “ About the death of Princess Charlotte and “Tears of a grateful nation” About the death of George III.

Coleridge, Who Called Hurwitz “The First Hebrew and Rabbinical Scholar in the Kingdom,” Helped Get His Works Published, and on Coleridge’s Recommendation He Became The First Jewish Man To Hold A University Post in England When He was elected Profed, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew, London of the Hebrew.

Coleridge died in 1834 and is buried in the church of San Miguel, Highgate. Hurwitz died in 1844 and is buried in Whitechapel.

Peter and Michael added: “It seemed appropriate for the book to arrive in Highgate, and that its new home, in the HLSI archive, is only two from which the academy was located.”

The HLSI archivists, Susan Trackman and Hilary Laurie, said: “We are delighted with the donation and we are very grateful to Michael and Peter for giving us a book that is so central in the history of our institution.”