Israel Zangwill (1864-1926) was an English humourist and writer. Zangwill wrote the influential novel Children of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar People (1892). The use of the metaphorical phrase “melting pot” to describe American absorption of immigrants was popularized by his play The Melting Pot, a hit in the United States in 1908.

He also wrote mystery works, such as The Big Bow Mystery and social satire such as The King of Schnorrers. Dreamers of the Ghetto presents a series of historic scenes ranging from the times of Shabbethai Zebi and Spinoza to those of Lassalle and Disraeli.