(Encyclopedia) Adrian IV, d. 1159, pope (1154–59), an Englishman (the only English pope), b. Nicholas Breakspear at Langley, near St. Albans. He was successor of Anastasius IV. At an early age he…
(Encyclopedia) Caesar, Julius (Caius Julius Caesar), 100? b.c.–44 b.c., Roman statesman and general.
Caesar has always been one of the most controversial characters of history. His admirers have…
(Encyclopedia) Ivan II or Ivan AsenIvan IIēˈvän äˈsən [key], d. 1241, czar of Bulgaria (1218–41). On the death (1207) of his father, Kaloyan, founder of the second Bulgarian empire, the throne was…
(Encyclopedia) Alexander III, d. 1181, pope (1159–81), a Sienese named Rolandus [Bandinelli?], successor of Adrian IV. He was a canonist who had studied law under Gratian and had taught at Bologna.…
Born: 1878Birthplace: Hansbeke, Belgium Synthetic Rubber (Neoprene)—He invented the first synthetic rubber, Neoprene, manufactured by the Du Pont Company, whose outstanding properties—including…
(Encyclopedia) Alexander VI, 1431?–1503, pope (1492–1503), a Spaniard (b. Játiva) named Rodrigo de Borja or, in Italian, Rodrigo Borgia; successor of Innocent VIII. He took Borja as his surname from…
(Encyclopedia) Pope, Alexander, 1688–1744, English poet. Although his literary reputation declined somewhat during the 19th cent., he is now recognized as the greatest poet of the 18th cent. and the…
(Encyclopedia) Pope, John, 1822–92, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Louisville, Ky. He fought with distinction at Monterrey and Buena Vista in the Mexican War and later served with the…
(Encyclopedia) Leo IX, Saint, 1002–54, pope (1049–54), a German named Bruno of Toul, b. Alsace; successor of Damasus II. A relative of Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, he was educated at Toul and was…
(Encyclopedia) Borgia, Cesare or CaesarBorgia, Cesare or Caesarchāˈzärā [key]Borgia, Cesare or Caesar bōrˈjä [key], 1476–1507, Italian soldier and politician, younger son of Pope Alexander VI and an…