Raphael Levi Hannover

Raphael Levi Hannover was a German mathematician and astronomer of Jewish descent, born in 1685 in Weikersheim, Franconia. His early education took place at the Jewish school in Hanover and the yeshivah in Frankfurt am Main. Following his studies, Hannover worked as a bookkeeper for the firm of Simon Wolf Oppenheimer in Hanover. It was during this time that he caught the attention of the prominent mathematician Leibniz, with whom he would go on to study for several years.

Hannover's association with Leibniz had a profound impact on his career, as he later became a teacher of mathematics, astronomy, and natural philosophy. His expertise and knowledge in these fields earned him recognition, and he engaged in correspondence with notable figures such as Moses Mendelssohn. Through his work and interactions with influential thinkers, Hannover established himself as a distinguished mathematician and astronomer in his own right, contributing to the scientific community of his time.