Renaissance England's Chief Rabbi: John Selden

John Selden (1584-1654) stands out in a century of greatness as one who sought 'not fame but truth in an erudition more vast than was ever garnered by any other human mind.' Although scholars have examined his contributions to political theory, legal, and constitutional history, this book is the first to discuss in detail Selden's rabbinic publications. Tracing the cultural influence of Selden's scholarship on early modern British poets and intellectuals, it also explores some of the post-biblical Hebraic ideas that served as the foundation of Selden's own thought.