Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

190 results found

Lieber, Francis

(Encyclopedia)Lieber, Francis lēˈbər [key], 1798–1872, German-American political philosopher, b. Berlin. Ardently patriotic, he enlisted in the Prussian army and fought and was wounded at the battle of Waterlo...

original sin

(Encyclopedia)original sin, in Christian theology, the sin of Adam, by which all humankind fell from divine grace. Saint Augustine was the fundamental theologian in the formulation of this doctrine, which states th...

Newton, John

(Encyclopedia)Newton, John, 1725–1807, English clergyman and hymn writer, b. London. Until 1755, his life was spent chiefly at sea, where he eventually became the captain of a slave ship plying the waters between...

Baius, Michael

(Encyclopedia)Baius or Bajus, Michael bāˈyəs, bāˈjəs [key], 1513–89, Flemish Roman Catholic theologian, also known as Michel de Bay. He was chancellor of the Univ. of Louvain and was sent to the Council of ...

Calpurnius

(Encyclopedia)Calpurnius (Titus Calpurnius Siculus) kălpûrˈnēəs [key], fl. 1st cent. a.d., Roman poet. His Eclogues (seven pastorals) imitate Vergil with grace and charm. ...

Clare Island

(Encyclopedia)Clare Island, c.6 sq mi (15 sq km), Co. Mayo, W Republic of Ireland, at the entrance to Clew Bay. There are ruins of a 13th-century Carmelite abbey and of the 16th-century castle of Grania or Grace O'...

Graces

(Encyclopedia)Graces, in Greek mythology, personifications of beauty, charm, and grace; daughters of Zeus and the oceanid Eurynome. Also known as the Charites, they were usually three in number and were called Agla...

Charles, William

(Encyclopedia)Charles, William, 1776–1820, American cartoonist, etcher, and engraver, b. Edinburgh, Scotland. He probably came to the United States to avoid prosecution for his satirical drawings. He is best know...

meditation

(Encyclopedia)meditation, religious discipline in which the mind is focused on a single point of reference. It may be a means of invoking divine grace, as in the contemplation by Christian mystics of a spiritual th...

Browse by Subject