Eratosthenes 276–195 B.C. This Greek astronomer was the first to measure the size of Earth accurately. He determined that the earth's polar diameter was about 7,850 miles. (In fact, the distance is…
(Encyclopedia) Copernican system, first modern European theory of planetary motion that was heliocentric, i.e., that placed the sun motionless at the center of the solar system with all the planets,…
(Encyclopedia) Chamfort, Sébastien Roch NicolasChamfort, Sébastien Roch NicolassābästyăNˈ rōk nēkōläˈ shäNfôrˈ [key], 1740–94, French writer. He is remembered only for his maxims and epigrams. His…
(Encyclopedia) Maupeou, René Nicolas deMaupeou, René Nicolas derənāˈ nēkôläˈ də mōp&oomacr;ˈ [key], 1714–92, chancellor of France (1768–74). He was president of the parlement of Paris before he…
(Encyclopedia) Lacaille, Nicolas Louis deLacaille, Nicolas Louis denēkôläˈ lwē də läkäˈyə [key], 1713–62, French astronomer. As a result of his success in making meridional measurements in France…
(Encyclopedia) Billaud-Varenne, Jean NicolasBillaud-Varenne, Jean Nicolaszhäk nēkōläˈ bēyōˈ-värĕnˈ [key], 1756–1819, French revolutionary. A violent antimonarchist in the Convention, the…
(Encyclopedia) Carnot, Lazare Nicolas MargueriteCarnot, Lazare Nicolas Margueriteläzärˈ nēkôläˈ märgərētˈ [key]Carnot, Lazare Nicolas Marguerite kärnōˈ [key], 1753–1823, French revolutionary, known…
(Encyclopedia) Carnot, Nicolas Léonard SadiCarnot, Nicolas Léonard Sadinēkōläˈ lāônärˈ sädēˈ [key]Carnot, Nicolas Léonard Sadi kärnōˈ [key], 1796–1832, French physicist, a founder of modern…
(Encyclopedia) Restif de la Bretonne, Nicolas EdmeRestif de la Bretonne, Nicolas Edmenëkôläˈ ĕdˈmə rĕstēfˈ də lä brətônˈ [key], 1734–1806, French novelist. A printer by trade, he wrote and published…
(Encyclopedia) San Nicolás de los GarzasSan Nicolás de los Garzassän nēkōläsˈ dā lōs gärˈsäs [key], city (1990 pop. 436,603), Nuevo León state, N Mexico, in the Santa Catarina valley. It is situated…
