Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Applegarth, Robert

(Encyclopedia)Applegarth, Robert, 1834–1924, English trade union leader, a carpenter by trade. A charter member of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, he became in 1862 its general secretary. Under...

Petőfi, Sándor

(Encyclopedia)Petőfi, Sándor shänˈdôr pĕˈtöfē [key], 1823–49, Hungarian poet and patriot. A failure as an actor, Petőfi became the author of exquisite lyrics. He composed the national poem “Talpra Mag...

Paca, William

(Encyclopedia)Paca, William pāˈkə, păkˈə [key], 1740–99, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. near Abingdon, Md. A lawyer and Maryland legislator, he se...

Wappers, Gustave, Baron

(Encyclopedia)Wappers, Gustave, Baron güstävˈ bärôNˈ väpĕrsˈ, väpˈərs [key], 1803–74, Belgian historical and genre painter. For many years director of the Antwerp Academy, he introduced the romantic s...

Brady, Samuel

(Encyclopedia)Brady, Samuel, 1758–95, American frontiersman. He fought in several battles of the American Revolution but earned his name as a scout in the Ohio country under Daniel Brodhead and Anthony Wayne. His...

Zanjan

(Encyclopedia)Zanjan zänjänˈ [key], city (1991 pop. 254,100), capital of Zanjan prov., NW Iran, on the Zanjan River. It is the trade center for an agricultural region where grain is produced. Manufactures includ...

Lesueur, Jean François

(Encyclopedia)Lesueur or Le Sueur, Jean François zhäN fräNswäˈ [key], 1760–1837, French composer. During the French Revolution his operas, such as La Caverne (1793) and Paul et Virginie (1794), were highly p...

Knyphausen, Wilhelm, Baron von

(Encyclopedia)Knyphausen, Wilhelm, Baron von vĭlˈhĕlm bärônˈ fən kənüpˈhouzən [key], 1716–1800, German general in British service in the American Revolution. He served in the army of Frederick the Grea...

Holston

(Encyclopedia)Holston, river, c.120 mi (190 km) long, formed by the uniting of its northern and southern forks, NE Tenn., and flowing SW through the Great Appalachian Valley, joining the French Broad River at Knoxv...

Habersham, Joseph

(Encyclopedia)Habersham, Joseph, 1751–1815, political leader in the American Revolution and U.S. Postmaster General (1795–1801), b. Savannah, Ga.; the son of James Habersham. From the beginning, he was active i...