(Encyclopedia) Foot, Michael, 1913–2010, British politician. He joined the Labour party in the 1930s, entered Parliament in 1945, and served there until 1992. An superb debater and orator, he became…
(Encyclopedia) Jones, James Earl, 1931–, American actor, b. Tate co., Miss. Jones made his stage debut at the Univ. of Michigan and appeared thereafter for seven years with the New York Shakespeare…
(Encyclopedia) Dodd, William Edward, 1869–1940, American historian and diplomat, b. Clayton, N.C. He was professor of history at Randolph-Macon College (1900–1908) and at the Univ. of Chicago (1908–…
(Encyclopedia) Coleman, Ornette, 1930–2015, African-American saxophonist and composer, b. Fort Worth, Tex. Largely self-taught, he began playing the alto saxophone in rhythm-and-blues bands. He later…
(Encyclopedia) phalaropephalaropefălˈərōpˌ [key], common name for members of the family Phalaropodidae, shore birds, called “little swimming sandpipers.” Phalaropes, small, dainty birds with webbed…
(Encyclopedia) proverb, short statement of wisdom or advice that has passed into general use. More homely than aphorisms, proverbs generally refer to common experience and are often expressed in…
(Encyclopedia) Watterson, Henry, 1840–1921, American journalist, b. Washington, D.C. Throughout most of his life he was known as “Marse Henry.” Early in life he became a Washington newspaper reporter…
(Encyclopedia) Betjeman, Sir JohnBetjeman, Sir Johnbĕtˈjəmən [key], 1906–84, English poet, b. London. Traditional in rhyme and meter, his verse combined a witty appraisal of the English present with…
Read about some of the most significant riots in U.S. history
1898: Wilmington, North Carolina While Democrats held power at the state level in North Carolina, a coalition of white…
(Encyclopedia) Clemenceau, GeorgesClemenceau, Georgeszhôrzh klāmäNsōˈ [key], 1841–1929, French political figure, twice premier (1906–9, 1917–20), called “the Tiger.” He was trained as a doctor, but…
