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Owen, John

(Encyclopedia)Owen, John, 1616–83, English Puritan divine and theologian. In the civil war Owen supported the parliamentary cause. Oliver Cromwell took him as chaplain to Ireland and Scotland and had him appointe...

Osborne, John

(Encyclopedia)Osborne, John (John James Osborne), 1929–94, English dramatist. He began his theatrical career as an actor and playwright in provincial English repertory theaters. Osborne's plays usually focus on a...

Pearson, John

(Encyclopedia)Pearson, John, 1613–86, English prelate and scholar. He was a royalist chaplain (1645) in the civil war, but during Cromwell's regime he lived quietly in London. His Exposition of the Creed (1659), ...

Opie, John

(Encyclopedia)Opie, John, 1761–1807, English portrait and historical painter. Opie showed a remarkable talent as a young man. He became the protégé of the poet John Wolcot, and enjoyed a brief popularity as a f...

Phinehas

(Encyclopedia)Phinehas or Phinees both: fĭnˈēəs [key], in the Bible. 1 Grandson of Aaron. His prompt punishment of two flagrant sinners made his name a symbol of holy, zealous indignation. 2 One of Eli's sacril...

Eleazar

(Encyclopedia)Eleazar ĕlēāˈzər [key], in the Bible. 1 Son of Aaron. 2 Keeper of the Ark of the Covenant. 3 Mighty man of David. 4 Man in the genealogy in the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew. 5 One o...

Nadab

(Encyclopedia)Nadab nāˈdăb [key]. 1 Aaron's eldest son, set apart for the priesthood. The exact nature of the transgression (“offering strange fire”) for which he and his brother Abihu died is not clear. 2 K...

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...

almond

(Encyclopedia)almond, name for a small tree (Prunus amygdalus) of the family Rosaceae (rose family) and for the nutlike, edible seed of its drupe fruit. The “nuts” of sweet-almond varieties are eaten raw or roa...

Martin, Luther

(Encyclopedia)Martin, Luther, c.1748–1826, American lawyer and political leader, b. New Brunswick, N.J. He practiced law in Maryland and became the first attorney general of the state, holding office from 1778 to...