In 1735 the first Hebrew grammar appeared in America, set with Hebrew type imported from England. The grammar was composed by Judah Monis, Harvard College’s instructor in Hebrew, and published with the aid of the college. In order to receive his appointment at the school, however, Monis had to convert to Christianity. He did so in 1722. For almost forty years, until his retirement in 1760, Monis taught Hebrew as a required course to students at Harvard so that they could study the Bible in its original language.