The Viennese violinist Jacob Dont (1815-1888) was far better known as a teacher than as a performer. He was, indeed, one of the great teachers of the 19th century. One of his pupils was Leopold Auer, the renowned Russian violinist and teacher.

In addition to his activities as a pedagogue, Dont found time to write a number of books of first-class studies, two of which - 24 Etudes and Caprices for the Violin and 24 Exercises Preparatory to Kreutzer are used today wherever the violin is seriously taught.