Gerson Wolf was born in Holesov (Holleschau) (now in the Czech Republic). He first intended to be a rabbi but then went to the University of Vienna to pursue secular studies. He was engaged in the political struggles of 1848-1849 and because of his radical articles was ordered to leave Vienna. When this order was revoked, he abandoned journalism and became a teacher. In 1852, he was imprisoned for a few weeks on suspicion of being a revolutionary. Two years later, he was appointed religious instructor to the Jewish community of Vienna. Wolf was very active in communal cultural and educational projects and was inspector of Jewish religious schools in Vienna. He wrote extensively, especially on the history of the Jews in Bohemia, Moravia and Austria, particularly on Vienna.