11 Facts About Richard Gottheil

Richard James Horatio Gottheil was an English American Semitic scholar, Zionist, founding father of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, and one of the founders of the Jewish Institute of Religion in New York.

Richard Gottheil was born in Manchester, England, but moved to the United States at age 11 when his father, Gustav Gottheil, accepted a position as the assistant Rabbi of the largest Reform synagogue in New York, Temple Emanu-El.

Richard Gottheil graduated from Columbia College in 1881, and studied in Europe, earning his doctorate at the University of Leipzig in 1886.

Richard Gottheil was director of the Oriental Department of the New York Public Library from 1896 until his death.

Richard Gottheil was careless in procedural matters and embarrassed by ceremonies in which he had to take part.

Richard Gottheil felt that his status as a professor was being sullied by his being President of a propaganda organization.

Richard Gottheil became more and more nerve-provoked by his status, especially as the practical affairs of the Zionist Federation made no visible progress.

Richard Gottheil continued writing and supporting the Zionist effort, but he never again undertook a leadership role.

Richard Gottheil wrote many articles on Oriental and Jewish questions for newspapers and reviews.

Richard Gottheil edited the Columbia University Oriental Series, and the Semitic Study Series.

Richard Gottheil wrote the chapter on Zionism which was translated into Arabic and published by Najib Nassar in his newspaper Al-Karmil and in the form of a book in 1911.