Michael Solomon Alexander

1799-1845. Anglican bishop in Jerusalem. Born in Germany of an Orthodox Jewish family, he was educated there and became a rabbi. In 1820 he went to England, but five years later lost his status as rabbi when he was converted to Christianity. He taught Hebrew in Dublin, was ordained in the Anglican Church in 1827, and for three years served as missionary among the Jews in Danzig. He then continued his work in London, adding to it in 1832 the chair of Hebrew at King's College. He participated in the revision of the NT in Hebrew. In 1841 he became the first Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, an appointment that did not go undisputed. Four years later he died in Egypt on his way back to England.