NEW FINDINGS ABOUT THE LIFE OF DAVID GANS (1541–1613) AND HIS CLOSEST RELATIVES: A STUDY AND SOURCE EDITION

The works of David Gans are of constant interest to the research community. His contribution to historiography, astronomy, cosmography, mathematics and geography is the subject of detailed research. In contrast to this, however, is the state of knowledge about David Gans the person. The most recent academic papers to focus largely on a biography of Gans were published more than a hundred years ago. Among these, the works of earlier rabbinic historiography by Moritz Grünwald and MórWeisz have retained their importance. Information about David Gans the person and his closest relatives are mostly included in works of three types, in books and articles about epitaphs, in historical and genealogical monographs on the Gans family, and in texts focusing primarily on an analysis of Gans’ work. Works that were published in the 19th century, namely sections in editions of the epitaphs by Koppelmann Lieben and Simon Hock, belong to the first category. In the latter half of the 20th century, the subject of epitaphs and their use in genealogy, biography and prosopography was explored by Otto Muneles, who, in his Hebrew edition of epitaphs from the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, also published biographical information about the Gans family. In addition, Muneles prepared material for an article on the epitaphs of selected persons, including members of the Gans family. An important addition to this text was provided by its editor Jiøina Šedinová, who identified Zeligman ben David of Byšice, who died in Prague in 1634, as the son of David Gans.