My friend George Wells, who has died aged 90, was a professor and head of German at Birkbeck, University of London. He wrote and edited more than 20 books on German literature and thought, the origin of language and biblical criticism.

Born in London to George Wells, a trader in goods, and his wife, Lilian (nee Bird), he attended Hornsey County school and Stationers’ Company’s school, Hornsey, before embarking on a degree in German at University College London in 1943. He completed this after an interruption for war service in the mines as a Bevin Boy. He went on to gain a PhD from the University of London.

He became a lecturer in German at UCL in 1949, and was appointed head of department at Birkbeck in 1968. He retired in 1988.

George’s views on the historicity of Jesus – which he first denied, then accepted in a qualified form – were controversial. He published nine books on this subject between 1971 and 2009, most notably The Historical Evidence for Jesus (1982). His work in this field generated debate in the US, where he was awarded the title of Humanist Laureate by the International Academy of Humanism in 1983.

Another of his interests, the origin of language, was inspired by the teacher who influenced him most profoundly, the poet and philosopher Ronald Englefield, who taught him at Stationers’. Together with David Oppenheimer, George edited Englefield’s papers in three books.

George was an exacting lecturer, but students were grateful for the meticulous preparation of his materials and his fair judgment, and some became lifelong friends.

Away from academia, George was devoted to rambling, an activity that he shared with his wife, Elisabeth, from their home in St Albans. Rambling was a way of cementing friendships and he frequently had friends join him on his excursions. These were carefully planned to take in the finest views and an excellent pub lunch. They were also enlivened by his expert commentary on the geology of the surrounding countryside.

He is survived by Elisabeth.