(Encyclopedia) Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811–84, Confederate statesman and British barrister, b. Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, of Jewish parents. His family moved (c.1813) to Wilmington, N…
James Louis Johnsonjazz trombonistBorn: 1/22/1924Birthplace: Indianapolis, IN influential jazz musician and composer who is considered the greatest trombonist of all time. He played with such speed…
jazz musicianDied: Aug.16, 2007 (New York City) Best Known as: jazz drummer A founding father of bebop and a visionary bandleader, Roach brought percussion to…
Janet ColeactressBorn: November 12, 1922 Birthplace: Detroit, Mi. Hunter was a actress famous for her Oscar-winning role as Stella in the film and stage versions of Tennessee Williams's A…
(Encyclopedia) Lyric Opera of Chicago, opera company founded 1954 as the Lyric Theatre of Chicago; it was renamed prior to its 1956 season. The company performs at the ornate Lyric Opera House,…
(Encyclopedia) Ashe, Arthur Robert, 1943–93, American tennis player, b. Richmond, Va. Ashe rose from his hometown's public courts to become the first African-American male to reach prominence in…
(Encyclopedia) Kramer, Jack (John Albert Kramer), 1921–2009, American tennis player, b. Las Vegas, Nev. He excelled at tennis while still in high school. Kramer and Frederick (Ted) Schroeder won the…
(Encyclopedia) Robinson, Eddie (Edward Gay Robinson), 1919–2007, African-American football coach, b. Jackson, La., grad. Leland College, Baker, La. (B.A., 1941), Univ. of Iowa (M.A., 1954). A college…
(Encyclopedia) Clay, Clement Claiborne, 1816–82, U.S. Senator (1853–61), b. Huntsville, Ala. A legislator and then a judge in his native state, he was twice elected to the U.S. Senate and became an…
(Encyclopedia) Office of War Information (OWI), U.S. agency created (1942) during World War II to consolidate government information services. The OWI absorbed the functions of the Office of Facts…