(Encyclopedia) Witherspoon, John, 1723–94, Scottish-American Presbyterian clergyman, political leader in the American Revolution, and signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Haddingtonshire (…
(Encyclopedia) Wolcot, JohnWolcot, Johnw&oobreve;lˈkət [key], pseud. Peter Pindar, 1738–1819, English poet. He wrote several satires, notably Lyric Odes to the Royal Academicians (1782–83), Bozzy…
(Encyclopedia) Wood, John, 1704–1754, English architect, called Wood of Bath. When he went (1727) to Bath from Yorkshire to begin his career as a road surveyor, the city was at its height as a center…
(Encyclopedia) Wooden, John, 1910–2010, American basketball coach, b. Martinsville, Ind. He was the first athlete to be honored in the basketball Hall of Fame as both player and coach. An All-…
(Encyclopedia) Woolman, John, 1720–72, American Quaker leader, b. near Mt. Holly, N.J. Originally a tailor and shopkeeper, Woolman was recorded a minister (1743) by the Burlington, N.J., Meeting.…
(Encyclopedia) Wyclif, Wycliffe, Wickliffe, or Wiclif, JohnWyclif, Wycliffe, Wickliffe, or Wiclif, Johnall: wĭkˈlĭf [key], c.1328–1384, English religious reformer. A Yorkshireman by birth, Wyclif…
(Encyclopedia) Wesley, John, 1703–91, English evangelical preacher, founder of Methodism, b. Epworth, Lincolnshire.
After his conversion, Wesley became involved in evangelistic work, in the course…
(Encyclopedia) Wheelwright, John, c.1592–1679, American Puritan clergyman, founder of Exeter, N.H., b. Lincolnshire, England. He studied at Cambridge and was vicar (1623–33) of Bilsby. Suspended by…
(Encyclopedia) Benbow, JohnBenbow, Johnbĕnˈbō [key], 1653–1702, English admiral. Some of the stories of his exploits seem to be legendary, but he did command the fleet and successfully fight the…
