by Mark Hughes In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere. Since his journey, about 450 people—astronauts, civilians, and "space tourists…
(Sebastian Spering Kresge) merchant, philanthropistBorn: 7/31/1867Birthplace: Bald Mount, Pa. With a newly minted business degree in hand, Kresge worked as a traveling tinware salesman (1890–97)…
engineer, inventorBorn: 1898Birthplace: Nashville, Tenn. David Crosthwait held numerous patents relating to heat transfer, ventilation, and air conditioning, the areas in which he was considered…
(Encyclopedia) Brennan, William Joseph, Jr., 1906–97, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1956–90), b. Newark, N.J. After receiving his law degree from Harvard, he practiced law in Newark.…
(Encyclopedia) Vonnegut, Kurt, Jr.Vonnegut, Kurt, Jr.vŏnˈəgət [key] 1922–2007, American novelist, b. Indianapolis. After serving in World War II, he worked as a police reporter and wrote short…
CRITZ, Mark S., a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pa.; January 5, 1962; B. S., Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pa., 1987; business manager;…
(Encyclopedia) Mays, Willie Howard, Jr. (“Say Hey” Willie Mays), 1931–, American baseball player, b. Fairfield, Ala. He began his professional career at 17 with the Black Barons of the Negro National…
Senate Years of Service: 1918-1918Party: DemocratGUION, Walter, a Senator from Louisiana; born near Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, La., April 3, 1849; tutored at home and then attended Jefferson…
(Encyclopedia) Rosset, Barney Lee, Jr., 1922–2012, American publisher, b. Chicago. As head (1951–85) of Grove Press, he published literary works previously deemed too obscene or unconventional for…