David ben Samuel of Estelle

David ben Samuel of Estelle was a prominent Jewish scholar from Provence, France, who made significant contributions to the fields of Talmudic studies and literary history. His most notable work, Qiryat Sefer, provides a comprehensive overview of rabbinical scholarship, covering the Geonim, Tosafists, and scholars from Narbonne and Provence. This work demonstrates his adherence to the philosophical traditions of Maimonides, a influential thinker who greatly impacted his intellectual pursuits.

As an author, David ben Samuel of Estelle also wrote Migdal Dawid, a treatise on Jewish theology that systematically expounds the fundamental principles of the Jewish faith. Patterned after Maimonides' Book of Commandments, this work showcases his mastery of Jewish theological thought. His writings earned him recognition and admiration from his contemporaries, including Isaac Lattes, who cited his work with high approval. Around 1305, David ben Samuel of Estelle was active in Avignon, a hub of intellectual and cultural activity, where his scholarship and literary endeavors continued to flourish.