(Encyclopedia) Pynchon, JohnPynchon, Johnpĭnˈchən [key], c.1626–1703, American colonist and merchant, b. England; son of William Pynchon. He emigrated to Massachusetts Bay colony with his father in…
(Encyclopedia) Dallas, George Mifflin, 1792–1864, American statesman, vice president of the United States (1845–49), b. Philadelphia; son of Alexander James Dallas. He read law, was admitted (1813)…
(Encyclopedia) Ghent, Treaty of, 1814, agreement ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. It was signed at Ghent, Belgium, on Dec. 24, 1814, and ratified by the U.S. Senate…
(Encyclopedia) Barnburners, radical element of the Democratic party in New York state from 1842 to 1848, opposed to the conservative Hunkers. The name derives from the fabled Dutchman who burned his…
George W. Bush (the 43rd president) is the son of George Bush (the 41st president). John Quincy Adams (the 6th president) was the son of John Adams (the 2nd president). Benjamin Harrison (the…
(Encyclopedia) McDuffie, George, 1790–1851, American politician, b. Columbia co., Ga. He was a member of the South Carolina legislature and served (1821–34) in the U.S. House of Representatives,…
(Encyclopedia) Berkshire HillsBerkshire Hillsbûrkˈshər, –shĭr [key], mountainous region of wooded hills with many small lakes and streams, W Mass. The Berkshires are a southern extension of the Green…
(Encyclopedia) Neptune, in astronomy, 8th planet from the sun at a mean distance of about 2.8 billion mi (4.5 billion km) with an orbit lying between those of Uranus and the dwarf planet Pluto; its…
(Encyclopedia) Barrymore, Anglo-American family of actors.
Lionel and Ethel's younger brother, John Barrymore,John Barrymore, 1882–1942, b. Philadelphia, tried his hand at painting and cartooning…
rock group The group's album, Licensed to Ill (1986) spawned the hit “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)” and went quintuple platinum, fueled by cross-over interest from both the band's…
