(Encyclopedia) Wissmann, Hermann vonWissmann, Hermann vonhĕrˈmän fən vĭsˈmän [key], 1853–1905, German explorer in Africa. He crossed (1880–82) Africa from Luanda to Zanzibar and, on behalf of Leopold…
(Encyclopedia) Samaroff, OlgaSamaroff, Olgasəmäˈrôf [key], 1882–1948, American pianist and educator, whose real name was Hickenlooper, b. San Antonio, Tex.; studied at the Paris Conservatory. Her…
(Encyclopedia) Francis I, 1708–65, Holy Roman emperor (1745–65), duke of Lorraine (1729–37) as Francis Stephen, grand duke of Tuscany (1737–65), husband of Archduchess Maria Theresa. He succeeded his…
NBC NBC has also been experiencing its share of viewer dropoff, and the post-Seinfeld era is not shaping up to be a pretty one. Will & Grace, the sole semi-hit of the season, is smart,…
(Encyclopedia) Winkelried, Arnold vonWinkelried, Arnold vonärˈnôlt fən vĭngˈkəlrēt [key], d. 1386, Swiss hero. His action at the battle of Sempach (July 9, 1386) is credited in legend with the Swiss…
(Encyclopedia) Wöhler, FriedrichWöhler, Friedrichfrēˈdrĭkh vöˈlər [key], 1800–1882, German chemist. He studied under the German chemist Leopold Gmelin and J. J. Berzelius, a Swedish chemist, and in…
(Encyclopedia) Ricasoli, Bettino, BaroneRicasoli, Bettino, Baronebĕt-tēˈnō bärôˈnā rēkäzôˈlē [key], 1809–80, Italian political leader. An active propagandist for Italian unity, he became (1859) head…
(Encyclopedia) biennial, plant requiring two years to complete its life cycle, as distinguished from an annual or a perennial. In the first year a biennial usually produces a rosette of leaves (e.g…
(Encyclopedia) Blake, Eubie (James Hubert Blake), 1887–1983, African-American pianist and composer, b. Baltimore. His career extended from ragtime (see…
ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano, Jr., (son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and brother of James Roosevelt), a Representative from New York; born in Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada, August 17,…
