Otto Rubensohn
German-Jewish classical archaeologist
About Otto Rubensohn
Lived 1867 – 1964 (aged 96). Otto Rubensohn was a German classical archaeologist, curator, secondary school teacher, art historian, archaeologist and teacher.
Otto Rubensohn (24 November 1867, Kassel – 9 August 1964, Höchenschwand) was a German-Jewish classical archaeologist.
He received his education at the Universities of Berlin and Strasbourg, Under the supervision of Adolf Michaelis, he earned his doctorate in 1892 with the thesis "". In 1897–1899 he was associated with the German Archaeological Institute at Athens, and performed excavations of the sanctuaries of Apollo and Asclepius on the island of Paros.
From 1901 to 1907, on behalf of the Prussian Royal Museums of Berlin and the , he was involved in a number of archaeological excavations in Egypt, which built major parts of the Berlin Papyrus Collection. In 1902–1905 he conducted a series of significant excavations of the necropolis at Abusir el-Meleq. While in Egypt, he also performed excavatory work at Fayum, at Ashmunein and on the island of Elephantine, where he uncovered numerous Aramaic papyri scrolls.
He was later named director of the recently established Pelizaeus Museum in Hildesheim. From 1915 to 1932 he worked as a secondary school teacher in Berlin. In 1939, he emigrated to Switzerland in order to escape Nazi persecution. There he settled in Basel, and at the age of 94 published "", considered to be his most important written effort.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Otto Rubensohn?
German-Jewish classical archaeologist (1867–1964)
When was Otto Rubensohn born?
Otto Rubensohn was born on 24 November 1867 in Kassel.
When did Otto Rubensohn die?
Otto Rubensohn died on 9 August 1964 in Höchenschwand.
What was Otto Rubensohn's occupation?
Otto Rubensohn was a classical archaeologist, curator, secondary school teacher, art historian, archaeologist and teacher.
What nationality was Otto Rubensohn?
Otto Rubensohn was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Otto Rubensohn. https://biography.guide/otto-rubensohn/
MLA: "Otto Rubensohn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/otto-rubensohn/.
Chicago: "Otto Rubensohn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/otto-rubensohn/.
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