Margolioth was born in Warsaw, Poland. His father, Yona, who came from a family of rabbis, and his mother Esther Yanish. In 1920, he immigrated to Israel with his parents. He studied at the Tachkemoni High School in Tel Aviv and then in Yeshivot in Jerusalem. He was one of the first graduates of Hebrew University of Jerusalem.[2]
He edited the “Encyclopedia of Talmudic Sages and Geonim” and the “Encyclopedia of the History of the Gedolim of Israel,” and wrote many of their entries. He also published academic versions of several ancient works with added introductions, notes, and explanations. He published articles and research in various journals.
In 1946, he won the Rabbi Kook Prize for research literature and reference books.[3]
In 1953, he sued Hanoch Albeck and the Devir publishing house, claiming that he was the author of Albeck's Commentary on the Mishnah of the order of Nezikin, and that Albeck only edited it.[4] After several months, a compromise was reached whereby Albeck acknowledged Margolith's help in writing the commentary.[5]
“Encyclopedia of Talmudic Sages and Geonim,” published by Joshua Chachik, 1947 (two volumes). In 2000, a revised edition of the encyclopedia was released, edited by Dr. Yehuda Eisenberg.
“Encyclopedia of the History of the Greats of Israel,” published by Joshua Chachik, 1946 (four volumes). Vol. 1; Vol. 2; Vol. 3; Vol. 4.