Levin (Lefin; Satanower), Mendel

(1749-1826)

   Russian author, translator and educator, and a leading figure in the Haskalah movement. He was born in Satanev, Podolia. From 1780 to 1784 he lived in Berlin, where he met Moses Mendelssohn, through whom he came into contact with the leaders of the Haskalah. Later he lived in various Russian centres and became one of the chief advocates of the Haskalah in Galicia. His publications include studies of natural sciences, translations of classics, and a Yiddish translation of various books of the Bible.