German convert to Christianity and anti-Jewish writer; lived in the sixteenth century. He was the author of "Neue Judengeissel, eine Polemische Schrift Gegen Juden und Judenthum" (Fritzlar, 1589; Paderborn, 1600 and 1606; Ratisbon, 1601; Erfurt, 1605; with notes, Frankfort-on-the-Main and Leipsic, 1703; Hamburg, n.d.). The book is cited in Latin writings under the title "Flagellum Judæorum." Hess was the first to spread the slander that the Jews soil the meat which they sell to Christians.

Bibliography: Fürst, Bibl. Jud.;
Strack, Sind die Juden Verbreeher von Religionswegen? pp. 7 et seq., Leipsic, 1900.D. S. Man.