Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Rosa, João Guimarães

(Encyclopedia)Rosa, João Guimarães rŏˈzä [key], 1908–67, Brazilian novelist. In The Devil to Pay in the Backlands (1956, tr. 1963), Rosa combines naturalism with psychological analysis in his examination of ...

physiocrats

(Encyclopedia)physiocrats fĭzˈēəkrătsˌ [key], school of French thinkers in the 18th cent. who evolved the first complete system of economics. They were also referred to simply as “the economists” or “th...

Abercromby, Sir Ralph

(Encyclopedia)Abercromby, Sir Ralph, 1734–1801, British general. After serving in the Seven Years War, he returned to service in 1793 against France, where he commanded a brilliant retreat in Flanders in the wint...

Horgan, Paul

(Encyclopedia)Horgan, Paul (Paul George Vincent O'Shaughnessy Horgan), 1903–95, American writer, b. Buffalo, N.Y. His diverse works reflect his fascination with the effects of history and landscape on people. Amo...

Des Barres, Joseph Frederick Wallet

(Encyclopedia)Des Barres or Desbarres, Joseph Frederick Wallet dābärˈ [key], 1721?–1824, British army officer, surveyor, and artist. He was born of French parents (probably in Switzerland), was educated at Bas...

Döllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von

(Encyclopedia)Döllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von yōˈhän yōˈzĕf ĭgˈnäts fən dölˈĭngər [key], 1799–1890, German theologian and historian, leader of the Old Catholics. Ordained in 1822, he was subsequ...

Entrecasteaux, Joseph Antoine Bruni d'

(Encyclopedia)Entrecasteaux, Joseph Antoine Bruni d' zhôzĕfˈ äNtwänˈ bro͞onēˈ däNtrəkästōˈ [key], 1739–93, French navigator. He entered the French navy in 1754, fought (1756) at Minorca, commanded (...

Fourier, Jean Baptiste Joseph, Baron

(Encyclopedia)Fourier, Jean Baptiste Joseph, Baron, 1768–1830, French mathematician and physicist. He was noted for his researches on heat and on numerical equations. He originated Fourier's theorem on vibratory ...

Gobineau, Joseph Arthur, comte de

(Encyclopedia)Gobineau, Joseph Arthur, comte de zhôzĕfˈ ärtürˈ kôNt də gōbēnōˈ [key], 1816–82, French diplomat and man of letters. The chief early French proponent of the theory of Nordic supremacy, h...

Garnier-Pagès, Étienne Joseph Louis

(Encyclopedia)Garnier-Pagès, Étienne Joseph Louis ātyĕnˈ zhôzĕfˈ lwē gärnyāˈ-päzhĕsˈ [key], 1801–41, French politician; brother of Louis Antoine Garnier-Pagès. He was a leading figure in the oppos...