(Encyclopedia) Becque, Henry FrançoisBecque, Henry FrançoisäNrēˈ fräNswäˈ bĕk [key], 1837–99, French dramatist. His plays, which portrayed Parisian life in realistic detail, influenced French…
(Encyclopedia) TarpeiaTarpeiatärpēˈyə [key], in Roman legend, a Roman woman who betrayed her city to the Sabines for what they wore on their left arms (their gold bracelets). As they entered Rome…
(Encyclopedia) evil eye, principally Sicilian and Mesoamerican superstition, although it is known in other cultures. According to the Native American version, a person who stares fixedly at a…
(Encyclopedia) DorcasDorcasdôrˈkəs [key] or TabithaDorcastăbˈĭthə [key] [Gr. Dorcas and Aramaic Tabitha=gazelle], in the Acts of the Apostles, Christian woman of Joppa whom St. Peter raised from the…
(Encyclopedia) SkövdeSkövdeskövˈdə [key], city (1990 pop. 30,540), Skaraborg co., S Sweden, midway between lakes Vänern and Vättern. During the Middle Ages many pilgrims visited the shrine of St.…
(Encyclopedia) Besnard, Paul AlbertBesnard, Paul Albertpôl älbĕrˈ bānärˈ [key], 1849–1934, French painter, studied with Legros and Cabanel and in Italy. He enjoyed many official honors and was the…
A prodigy is a person of exceptional power and ability. A child prodigy is a kid who is recognized for genius at an early age. Maria Gaetana Agnesi was the first of 21 children. She lived in Milan…
by Mark Hughes In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere. Since his journey, about 450 people—astronauts, civilians, and "space tourists…
Profiles of leading female CEOs and business executives by John Gettings, David Johnson, Borgna Brunner, and Chris Frantz Meg Whitman, CEO of eBay, speaking at the Intershop Open Conference…