Judah HaNasi (Judah the Prince) (138 - C.220)

Known simply as Rabbi. He  was the first acknowledged Patriarch (Nasi) responsible for both the Sanhedrin and for acting as the political head of the community. For the  most part, Patriarchs like Judah the Prince, were chosen from descendents of Hillel. The last Hillelite Patriarch was Gamliel VI (b.370- d.425). Judah HaNasi's greatest contribution was collecting and codifying the  Mishna. Judah HaNasi belived that  the continual use of Hebrew  in daily life was of vital importance and that it should not be relegated to the synagogue and prayers. Unfortunately  he was one of a very small minority  and as such  Hebrew ceased to develop as a spoken language until the 19th century.