(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) Prior, Matthew, 1664–1721, English poet and diplomat, b. Wimborne, Dorset. With his appointment as secretary to the embassy at The Hague during the negotiations leading to the Treaty…
(Encyclopedia) Noland, KennethNoland, Kennethnōˈlənd [key], 1924–2010, American painter, b. Asheville, N.C. An outstanding colorist, Noland was one of the best-known exponents of the abstract…
E-mail Emergencies?
by Jarrett Tolman Kurt Vonnegut@MIT
"Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97… Wear sunscreen." Thus began Kurt Vonnegut's commencement speech to the…
(Encyclopedia) Galiani, FerdinandoGaliani, Ferdinandofārdēnänˈdō gälyäˈnē [key], 1728–87, Italian economist, educated for the church. As a very young man he wrote Della moneta [on money] (1750),…
(Encyclopedia) Philippe, Édouard Charles, 1970–, French lawyer and political leader, b. Rouen, grad. Paris Institute of Political Studies, 1992, National School of Administration, 1997. He worked as…
(Encyclopedia) Balbo, CesareBalbo, Cesarechāˈzärā bälˈbō [key], 1789–1853, Italian premier, historian, and author. He held various posts during the Napoleonic occupation of Italy and became involved…
(Encyclopedia) Baldwin II (Baldwin of Le Bourg), d. 1131, Latin king of Jerusalem (1118–31), count of Edessa (1100–1131); cousin and successor of Baldwin I. He accompanied Godfrey of Bouillon on the…