Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Sloan Foundation

(Encyclopedia)Sloan Foundation, fund established (1934) by automobile executive Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. as a philanthropic institution supporting research in various areas. In its early years it stressed support of U....

Nephtoah

(Encyclopedia)Nephtoah nĕftōˈə [key], in the Bible, fountain, on the border between Judah and Benjamin. The site is identified with the modern Me Neftoah (Israel). ...

Benny, Jack

(Encyclopedia)Benny, Jack, 1894–1974, American comedian, b. Waukegan, Ill., as Benjamin Kubelsky. His shows on radio (1932–55) and television (1950–65) made famous his miserliness, reproachful silences, and v...

Ard

(Encyclopedia)Ard ärd [key], in the Bible. 1 Son of Benjamin. 2 Benjamite, perhaps the same as 1. An alternate form is Addar. ...

Big Ben

(Encyclopedia)Big Ben, the bell in the Parliament tower (Westminster Palace), London, England. It was named for Sir Benjamin Hall, commissioner of works when the bell was installed in 1856. The name is often used t...

Layton

(Encyclopedia)Layton, city (1990 pop. 41,784), Davis co., N Utah, between the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake. In an irrigated farm area served by the Weber basin project, it produces fruits and vegetables. Cattl...

Linlithgow

(Encyclopedia)Linlithgow, town (1991 pop. 9,524), West Lothian, central Scotland. Manufactures include paper, whiskey, and computers. Linlithgow Palace, now a ruin, was a seat of Stuart kings and the birthplace of ...

Reed, Sir Carol

(Encyclopedia)Reed, Sir Carol, 1906–76, English film director, b. London. He acted and directed on the stage before turning to films in the mid-1930s. Reed powerfully portrayed characters at the end of their teth...

Sedgwick, Theodore

(Encyclopedia)Sedgwick, Theodore, 1746–1813, American lawyer and statesman, b. West Hartford, Conn. He practiced law in Massachusetts after being admitted (1766) to the bar. In the American Revolution he acted (1...

Browse by Subject