MENDELSSOHN, me'redels-son, Moses, German Jewish philosopher: b. Dessau, Ger many, 6 Sept. 1729; d. Berlin, 4 Jan. 1786. His father, Mendel, a schoolmaster, though very poor, gave him a careful education. He lived several years on the charity of persons of his own religion, devoting his time to study, chiefly in Hebrew and Hebrew literature, but also in mathematics and modern languages. In 1750 he was appointed by a silk manufacturer named Bernhard, a Jew, tutor of his children. At a later period Bernhard took him as a part ner in his business. In 1754 he became ac quainted with Lessing, with whom he con tracted a close intimacy which had a great influence on his mind. Intellectual philosophy now became his chief study. His 'Briefe fiber die Empfindungen> were the first-fruit of his labors in this branch. Mendelssohn contributed to several of the first periodicals, and now and then appeared C. I e the public NVItil philosoph ical works, which brought him fame, not only in Germany, but also in foreign countries. The most celebrated of these is (Phmdon,' a treatise on the immortality of the soul, first published in 1767. It has been translated into most Euro pean languages. He establisht l no new sys
tem, but was, nevertheless, oi of the most profound and patient thinkers of his age, and the excellence of his character was enhanced by his modesty, uprightness and amiable dis position. He knew how to elude with delicacy the zealous efforts of Lavater to induce him to declare himself a Christian. To this encounter between Lavater and Mendelssohn German lit erature owes one of its greatest dramas, Les sing's 'Nathan der Weise,' in which the author, in the person of the hero, ,he virtues, the tolerant spirit and comprehensive mind of his friend Mendelssohn. His 'Jerusa lem, oder caber religiose Macht and Judentlitun) (1783) was much misunderstood, partly be cause he attack< ' many ces of his race. qviorning Hours' (iviorgenstun den) was published in 1785. The last work of Mendelssohn was in defense of his friend Lessing, of whom Jacobi had-asserted that he was a Spinozist, was entitled 'Moses Mendels sohn and die Freunde Lessings' (1786). Con sult Kayserling, 'Moses Mendelssohn' (1882).