Born: September 18, 1825 in Biebrich-Mosbach
died: February 27, 1897 in Biebrich

Seligmann Baer was born the son of Löb Beer (1761-1858) and his wife Caroline (1789 -1862). He is said to have been familiar with the Hebrew language even as a child. He attended the elementary school in Biebrich from 1831 to 1839. He was unable to attend the Pädagogium in Wiesbaden for financial reasons. In order to prepare himself for the profession of a religious teacher, he first attended the Talmud school of Rabbi Salomon Igstädter and then took lessons from the preacher Dr. Benjamin Hochstädter. In 1843, he passed the state examination as a teacher of religion.

He found his first position in 1843 in the communities of Niederhofheim and Soden in the Höchst district. In addition to his teaching duties, he also served as a prayer leader and chorister. On January 27, 1850, Baer moved to the teaching position in Heddernheim, the largest Jewish community in the Duchy of Nassau with 62 Jewish families and 320 souls.

Despite his poor circumstances, Baer decided to marry Johanna Mühlhaus in 1852 and they had six children. In 1856, he moved to the Jewish community of Biebrich-Mosbach. He worked there as a teacher and prayer leader until his retirement in 1894.

In addition to this work, he used every free minute to study the Old Testament and research Hebrew texts. Although he was unable to attend university, his achievements were so significant that he was regarded as one of the greatest "scribes" of his time.

As early as 1852, Baer published his first scholarly work "Torath Emeth" (= Teaching of Truth). This work attracted the attention of Leipzig-based Old Testament scholar Franz Delitzsch, who encouraged Baer to carry out academic research and publish his work. He ensured that Baer's works were published by a recognized academic publishing house.

From 1869 to 1895, he published 14 volumes of a text-critical edition of the Bible. He also published a large number of academic works, liturgical, synagogal and ritual writings and prayer books.

Due to his academic merits, Seligmann Baer was awarded a doctorate by the University of Leipzig in November 1876. In 1877 he became a member of the German Oriental Society. The Emperors Wilhelm I and Wilhelm II granted him 1,000 marks in annual support. On the occasion of his 50th anniversary as a teacher in 1894, he was awarded the 4th Class Order of the Crown. In June 1882, he was made an honorary citizen of the town of Biebrich am Rhein.

His grave can still be found today in the Jewish section of the Biebrich cemetery. On September 18, 1925, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, a memorial plaque was unveiled at his birthplace in the street Am Schlosspark.