(Encyclopedia) Porson, Richard, 1759–1808, English classical scholar, b. Norfolk. A poor boy, he showed such astonishing powers of memory that patrons sent him through Eton and Cambridge. He was…
(Encyclopedia) Scottsboro Case. In 1931 nine black youths were indicted at Scottsboro, Ala., on charges of having raped two white women in a freight car passing through Alabama. In a series of trials…
by Mark Hughes The American public has always been fascinated by first families. We know much about the lives of the presidents and first ladies, but what about the children in the White…
(Encyclopedia) Vedder, Elihu, 1836–1923, American painter, illustrator, and author, b. New York City, studied in Paris. From 1867 his permanent residence was Rome. He often used romantic landscape as…
Tough Sledding: Using Adjectives After Linking VerbsAdjectives Versus AdverbsIntroductionThree Degrees of SeparationTough Sledding: Using Adjectives After Linking VerbsA Note on Adjectives and…
We all hear popular superstitions when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday. And no player wants to wear the number 13. It is said that superstitions have been…
(Encyclopedia) NassauNassaunäˈsou [key], former duchy, W central Germany, situated N and E of the Main and Rhine rivers. It is now mostly included in the state of Hesse, and partly in the state of…
(Encyclopedia) Rego, José Lins doRego, José Lins dozh&oobreve;zĕˈ lēnz dô rĕˈg&oobreve; [key], 1901–57, Brazilian novelist. His fame rests largely on his semiautobiographical “sugarcane cycle…
(Encyclopedia) Morricone, Ennio, 1928–2020, Italian composer. Most famous for his film scores for 1960s spaghetti westerns, he also composed for comedies, historical dramas, and thrillers. Combining…
(Encyclopedia) Saint Elmo's fire, luminous discharge of electricity extending into the atmosphere from some projecting or elevated object. It is usually observed (often during a snowstorm or a dust…
