Joachim Gans facts for kids

Joachim Gans (also spelled Jeochim, Jochim, Gaunz, Ganse, or Gaunse) was a clever mining expert from Bohemia (which is now part of the Czech Republic). He is famous for being the first Jew known to have visited North America.

Joachim Gans: A Pioneer in Mining and America

Early Life in Prague

Joachim Gans was born in Prague, a city in the Kingdom of Bohemia. He was likely related to David Gans, another famous person who lived there around the same time.

Working in England

Gans first appears in records in 1581, working as a mining expert in Keswick, England. He worked at the Newlands mine, which was managed by Richard Dudley. Gans used new technologies to improve how they worked with metals.

He created a new way to make copper, vitriol, and "coppris" (which is iron sulfate). He also improved the way they melted copper and lead ores. Gans's work was so important that it was written about in the official papers of Queen Elizabeth I. A full description of his methods is still available today.

One of Gans's most amazing discoveries was how quickly he could clean copper ore. He reduced the time from sixteen weeks down to just four days! Plus, he found a way to use the leftover impurities from the copper ore. These impurities could be used in textiles to help dyes stick better.

Journey to America

In 1585, Joachim Gans became the first person from Bohemia and the first recorded Jewish person in colonial America. Sir Walter Raleigh asked him to join an expedition to start a permanent settlement in the Virginia territory of the New World.

Sir Ralph Lane, who was the Governor of Raleigh's expedition, led the Roanoke Colony. This colony was on Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina. At the old Roanoke site, archaeologists have found pieces of melted copper and a goldsmith’s crucible. These items are believed to be from Gans's work at the colony.

The royal mining company did not send enough supplies to the colonists. Also, the colonists became more and more worried about conflicts with the Native Americans. So, in June 1586, they accepted an offer from Sir Francis Drake to sail them back to England. All the colonists, including Gans, left North America.

Later Life and a Disagreement

After returning, Gans moved to the town of Bristol in England. There, he taught Hebrew lessons to English gentlemen. These gentlemen wanted to read the Bible in its original language.

In 1589, a bishop named Richard Curteys visited Gans. During their conversation, Gans spoke in Hebrew and said he was Jewish. Bishop Curteys asked Gans about his beliefs. Gans replied in a way that caused a disagreement.

Because of this, Gans was brought before the mayor and other leaders of Bristol. However, Gans was connected to important people in the Royal Mining Company. So, instead of dealing with the case themselves, Bristol's leaders sent his case to the Queen’s Privy Council in London. This council included major investors in the Royal Mining Company.

Francis Walsingham, who was a very important secretary at the time, and other council members also knew Gans. The council seems to have taken no harsh action against him. However, what happened after the trial and the rest of Gans's life is not known.

Lasting Impact

Joachim Gans's discoveries and his scientific work made him quite famous. Some historians believe that Gans might have been the inspiration for a Jewish scientist named Joabin in Sir Francis Bacon's book, New Atlantis. This book describes a perfect society. Other historians think Joabin might be named after Joab, a commander in King David's army.