Dictionary.net

A famous Jewish philosopher; born at Dessau, Anhalt, Germany, Sept. 6, 1729; died at Berlin, Jan. 4, 1786. He has been called "the German Socrates". He wrote on religious, moral, Aesthetic, and practical questions, in a semi-philosophical, common-sense way, popularizing the philosophy of Leibnitz and Wolf, and bringing into notice that of Spinoza. Among his friends were Lessing, Nicolai, Herder, Wieland, etc. He wrote: "Phaedon" (1767), a dialogue on the immortality of the soul, which won a European reputation; "Jerusalem" (1783); "Morning Hours" (1785); etc. ("Works", Leipzig, 1843-45.)