Education
Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau.
Jewish Theological Seminary of Breslau.
After his graduation, Simonsen returned to Denmark and a position as Rabbi in the Jewish Congregation of Copenhagen. In 1903 he was awarded the title of professor by the University of Copenhagen. David Simonsen’s archives (which was acquired by The Royal Library, Denmark in 1932) reflect the history of several scientific disciplines over a full half century.
The list of correspondents contains the names of leading scientists within Oriental and Jewish Studies, but also from other areas.
During World War I, Simonsen acted as "communication central", maintaining all the important contacts in Denmark and abroad, between organisations and individuals. He was also able to relay messages between relatives on different sides of the front, and after the war, he continued to be active in different relief organisations, both in Denmark and abroad.
David Simonsen’s private library of approximately 45.000 volumes, also acquired by The Royal Library in 1932, testifies to his wide-ranging scholarly interests.