Simon Dubnow was a prominent Jewish historian and writer born in 1860 in what is now Belarus. He is best known for his work on Jewish history, particularly his multi-volume work titled World History of the Jewish People. Dubnow emphasized the importance of Jewish culture and identity throughout history, advocating for the preservation of Jewish traditions. In addition to his historical writings, Dubnow was an active political thinker and a proponent of Jewish nationalism. He believed in the need for a Jewish national revival and supported the establishment of cultural autonomy for Jews in Eastern Europe. Dubnow's contributions have had a lasting impact on Jewish historiography and identity.