(Encyclopedia) Borough, William, 1536–99, British naval officer. A younger brother of Stephen Borough, William accompanied him on early voyages and was himself a captain for the Muscovy Company. As a…
(Encyclopedia) Boyce, William, c.1710–1779, English composer. After studying in London, he became a composer (1736) and later an organist (1758) of the Chapel Royal and Master of the King's Music in…
(Encyclopedia) Browne, William (William Browne of Tavistock)Browne, Williamtăvˈĭstŏkˌ [key], 1591?–1645?, English poet. An imitator of Spenser, he did his finest work in pastoral poetry, of which…
(Encyclopedia) Buckland, William, 1784–1856, English geologist. He was dean of Westminster from 1845. First to note in England the action of glacial ice on rocks, he did much to bring physical and…
(Encyclopedia) Burges, WilliamBurges, Williambûrˈjĭz [key], 1827–81, English architect. An ardent proponent of Victorian medievalism, he was prominent in the Gothic revival. Burges is known for his…
(Encyclopedia) Burgis, WilliamBurgis, Williambûrˈjĭs [key], fl. 1717–31, American engraver and publisher of maps and views, b. London. His name appears as publisher on the views South Prospect of ye…
(Encyclopedia) Brewster, William, 1567–1644, English separatist and Plymouth colonist. After studying briefly at Cambridge he became the chief member of the congregation at Scrooby that broke away,…
(Encyclopedia) Billings, William, 1746–1800, American hymn composer, b. Boston. A tanner by trade, he was one of the earliest American-born composers. He wrote popular hymns and sacred choruses of…
(Encyclopedia) Blake, William, 1757–1827, English poet and artist, b. London. Although he exerted a great influence on English romanticism, Blake defies characterization by school, movement, or even…
(Encyclopedia) Bligh, WilliamBligh, Williamblī [key], 1754–1817, British admiral. He is chiefly remembered for the mutiny (1789) on his ship, the Bounty, but he had a long and notable career. He was…
