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Williams, William, American painter

(Encyclopedia)Williams, William, c.1710–c.1790, American painter, b. England. He probably led a seafaring life before settling (c.1747) in Philadelphia, where he was Benjamin West's first instructor in painting. ...

Houghton, Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron

(Encyclopedia)Houghton, Richard Monckton Milnes, 1st Baron houˈtən, hôˈ– [key], 1809–85, English author. Throughout much of his life he was an active member of Parliament. He was among the first to recogniz...

Folger, Peter

(Encyclopedia)Folger, Peter fōlˈjər [key], 1617–90, British settler on Nantucket. He was associated with Thomas Mayhew on Martha's Vineyard, becoming missionary, schoolmaster, and surveyor. He moved to Nantuck...

Stockmar, Christian Friedrich, Baron von

(Encyclopedia)Stockmar, Christian Friedrich, Baron von krĭsˈtyän frēˈdrĭk bärōnˈ fŭn shtôkˈmär [key], 1787–1863, Anglo-Belgian diplomat and courtier, b. Coburg, Germany. A physician, Stockmar became ...

Fourier, Jean Baptiste Joseph, Baron

(Encyclopedia)Fourier, Jean Baptiste Joseph, Baron, 1768–1830, French mathematician and physicist. He was noted for his researches on heat and on numerical equations. He originated Fourier's theorem on vibratory ...

Vansittart, Nicholas, 1st Baron Bexley

(Encyclopedia)Vansittart, Nicholas, 1st Baron Bexley vănˈsĭtärt [key], 1766–1851, British politician. He entered Parliament in 1796, was joint secretary of the treasury (1801–4, 1806–7) and briefly secret...

Merckx, Eddy

(Encyclopedia)Merckx, Eddy (Édouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx) mûrks [key], 1945–, Belgian bicycle racer. He won the world amateur cycling championship in 1964 and became world professional champion in 1967. H...

Mount Stephen, George Stephen, 1st Baron

(Encyclopedia)Mount Stephen, George Stephen, 1st Baron, 1829–1921, Canadian financier and railroad builder, b. Scotland. He emigrated to Canada in 1850, became a manufacturer, and was (1876–81) president of the...

Ismay, Hastings Lionel Ismay, 1st Baron

(Encyclopedia)Ismay, Hastings Lionel Ismay, 1st Baron ĭzˈmā [key], 1887–1965, British general, known as “Pug” Ismay. He served in India and, during World War I, in Africa. During World War II he held simul...

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