He was Professor of Ancient History at the University of Amsterdam and a prominent Zionist leader.

[3][1] Two years later he was appointed full professor of Ancient History at the Municipal University of Amsterdam.

[4] Cohen was one of the founders and editor of Hermeneus: Monthly Magazine for Ancient Culture, the first edition of which appeared in 1928.

[5][2] In 1941 Cohen and Asscher were appointed by the German occupiers as chairs of the Jewish Council for Amsterdam.

One of David Cohen's grandchildren, son of daughter Virrie, is former doctor and former PvdA politician Rob Oudkerk.