Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Burges, William

(Encyclopedia)Burges, William bûrˈjĭz [key], 1827–81, English architect. An ardent proponent of Victorian medievalism, he was prominent in the Gothic revival. Burges is known for his designs for Cork Cathedral...

riddle

(Encyclopedia)riddle, puzzling question, specifically one that consists of a fanciful description or definition of something to be guessed. A famous riddle was asked by the Sphinx: “What goes on four legs in the ...

Taylor, Tom

(Encyclopedia)Taylor, Tom, 1817–80, English dramatist and editor. His most famous play is Our American Cousin (1858), performed at Ford's Theater in Washington, D. C., when Lincoln was assassinated. Of his more t...

Rymer, Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Rymer, Thomas rīˈmər [key], 1643?–1713, English critic and historiographer. Educated at Cambridge and Gray's Inn, he was called to the bar in 1673 but turned his efforts instead to literature, es...

civil war, English

(Encyclopedia)civil war, English: see English civil war. ...

English, William Hayden

(Encyclopedia)English, William Hayden, 1822–96, U.S. Congressman (1853–61), b. Scott co., Ind. A lawyer, he entered politics and served in the House of Representatives (1853–1861). In 1858, when the terms und...

English civil war

(Encyclopedia)English civil war, 1642–48, the conflict between King Charles I of England and a large body of his subjects, generally called the “parliamentarians,” that culminated in the defeat and execution ...

English cocker spaniel

(Encyclopedia)English cocker spaniel, breed of compact sporting dog perfected in England, whose development may be traced back to the original spaniels of Spain. It stands about 16 in. (40.6 cm) high at the shoulde...

English running horse

(Encyclopedia)English running horse: see Thoroughbred horse. ...

English springer spaniel

(Encyclopedia)English springer spaniel, breed of medium-sized sporting dog developed in England from the broader and very old category of “springing spaniels” that produced many of the present-day land spaniels...