Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai

The Chida (1724-1806). Born in Jerusalem, he studied under Rav Chaim ben Atar (the Ohr HaChaim) from age 18 and later under Rav Shalom Sharabi. His works include Birkei Yosef on the Shulchan Aruch, Shem HaGedolim (a biographical work on 1,300 authors and 1,200 writings dating back to the Gaonim), and many others. He served as emissary for the Jewish communities of Eretz Yisrael, traveling extensively through Europe and North Africa. He passed away in Livorno, Italy; his remains were reinterred in Yerushalayim in 1960.