| Born on January 21, 1864 in London, England, Israel Zangwill was an American social activist, journalist, playwright and novelist. His series of popular novels depicted the lifestyle, values and poverty of London's Jewish ghetto population at the close of the 18th century. He is the author of a number of works including The Melting Pot, from which the popular expression originates. He died on August 1, 1926. |

