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Giddings, Joshua Reed

(Encyclopedia)Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795–1864, American abolitionist, b. Tioga Point (now Athens), Pa. A successful lawyer in Jefferson, Ohio, he represented the Western Reserve in Congress (1838–59). For his ...

American Philosophical Society

(Encyclopedia)American Philosophical Society, first scientific society in America, founded (1743) in Philadelphia. It was an outgrowth of the Junto formed (1727) by Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was the first secreta...

Smith, Robert

(Encyclopedia)Smith, Robert, 1757–1842, U.S. government official, b. Lancaster, Pa. Admitted to the bar in 1786, he practiced law in Baltimore before serving in the Maryland state senate (1793–95) and in the Ba...

Blennerhassett Island

(Encyclopedia)Blennerhassett Island, in the Ohio River, near Parkersburg, W.Va. On it Harman Blennerhassett built a mansion and a laboratory for his study. The island was ransacked by the local militia when Aaron B...

Wellesley College

(Encyclopedia)Wellesley College, at Wellesley, Mass.; for women; chartered 1870, opened 1875. Long a leader in women's education, it was the first woman's college to have scientific laboratories. With Lake Waban an...

Gallatin, city, United States

(Encyclopedia)Gallatin, city (2020 pop. 44,431), seat of Sumner co., N central Tenn., near Nashville; inc. 1815. It is a livestock and agricultural center that produc...

Jackson, Shoeless Joe

(Encyclopedia)Jackson, Shoeless Joe (Joseph Jefferson Jackson), 1887–1951, American baseball player, b. Brandon Mills, S.C. Holder of the third highest (.356) career batting average in major league history, Jacks...

Dunbar, William, American scientist

(Encyclopedia)Dunbar, William, 1749–1810, American scientist in the old Southwest, b. near Elgin, Scotland. He came to America in 1771. Commissioned by President Jefferson to investigate the Ouachita and Red Rive...

Cobb, Thomas Reade Rootes

(Encyclopedia)Cobb, Thomas Reade Rootes, 1823–62, American lawyer, b. Jefferson co., Ga.; brother of Howell Cobb. Admitted to the bar in 1842, he edited 20 volumes of the Georgia supreme court reports (1849–57)...

Eustis, William

(Encyclopedia)Eustis, William yo͞oˈstĭs [key], 1753–1825, U.S. government official, b. Cambridge, Mass. A surgeon in the patriot forces during the American Revolution, he later served (1801–5) in Congress as...