Born into an economically privileged German-Jewish family, Ernst Kantorowicz became a scholar that maintained a place in George's circle, but also managed to escape the horrors of Nazi Germany. After pursing scholarship after returning injured from WWI, Kantorowicz became ever more interested in George's poetry. Norton states, "Physically, Kantorowicz seemed modeled on the blueprint after which so many of George's favorites appeared to have been formed...As alluring for George, though, must have been Kantorowicz's supple, penetrating mind and his beguiling verbal ability" (Norton 625). Because of George's interest in the young man, he acted as Kantorwicz's agent when he published his first book. Kantorwicz often housed George as well.