George Haas was born in Vienna, where he studied zoology and paleontology. After his studies he left to Berlin, where he was visiting investigator at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute (1931-1932). In Berlin he did research on protozoancytology. Haas immigrated to Palestine (1933), and joined the faculty of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was appointed professor in 1954. Haas was a dedicated teacher and had much influence on the growth of zoological science in Israel. Many outstanding Israeli zoologists where his students. His main interest was the functional anatomy and evolution of reptiles, but broadened his interest on molluks of Israel, and on fossil reptiles and mammals of the region.