Notovitch, Nicolas: - Nicolas Notovitch, born Shulim or Nikolai Aleksandrovich Notovich on August 25, 1858, in Kerch, was the son of Aleksandr Notovich and an unknown mother. He was a Crimean Jew who later gained recognition in the West for his controversial writings and claims. Presenting himself as a Russian aristocrat, spy, and journalist, he became most widely known for asserting the existence of ancient Tibetan texts that documented the life of Jesus Christ during the so-called missing years. His 1894 publication argued that Jesus, referred to as Issa, traveled to India and Tibet, where he studied Eastern religions before returning to his homeland. Notovitch claimed to have discovered these records during a journey to the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh, where Buddhist monks allegedly shared the manuscripts with him. His account sparked interest and skepticism across both religious and academic communities. Throughout his life, Notovitch cultivated an image of worldly experience, weaving journalism, espionage, and adventure into his identity. His writings, though disputed, left a mark on the study of comparative religion. He died in 1916 at the age of 58.