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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...

Norfolk, Thomas Howard, 2d duke of

(Encyclopedia)Norfolk, Thomas Howard, 2d duke of, 1443–1524, English nobleman, son of John Howard, 1st duke of Norfolk. He fought at the battle of Bosworth (1485) in which his father was killed. He himself was ca...

Reading, Rufus Daniel Isaacs, 1st marquess of

(Encyclopedia)Reading, Rufus Daniel Isaacs, 1st marquess of rĕdˈĭng [key], 1860–1935, British statesman. Called to the bar in 1887, he achieved great success in his profession. He entered Parliament as a Liber...

Stafford, Humphrey, 1st duke of Buckingham

(Encyclopedia)Stafford, Humphrey, 1st duke of Buckingham, 1402–60, English nobleman. He succeeded his father as earl of Stafford in 1403. He inherited the title of earl of Buckingham through his mother, Anne, cou...

Harley, Robert, 1st earl of Oxford

(Encyclopedia)Harley, Robert, 1st earl of Oxford, 1661–1724, English statesman and bibliophile. His career illustrates the power of personal connections and intrigue in the politics of his day. When he entered (1...

Cornbury, Edward Hyde, Viscount

(Encyclopedia)Cornbury, Edward Hyde, Viscount kôrnˈbərē [key], 1661–1723, colonial governor of New York and New Jersey (1702–8). Appointed governor by William III, he became extremely unpopular, and his adm...

Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount

(Encyclopedia)Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758–1805, British admiral. The most famous of Britain's naval heroes, he is commemorated by the celebrated Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, London. Upon the ...

Lowe, Robert, Viscount Sherbrooke

(Encyclopedia)Lowe, Robert, Viscount Sherbrooke: see Sherbrooke, Robert Lowe, Viscount. ...

Torrington, George Byng, Viscount

(Encyclopedia)Torrington, George Byng, Viscount bĭng, tŏrˈĭngtən [key], 1663–1733, British admiral. Early in his career he helped win the support of the navy for William of Orange in the Glorious Revolution ...

Sherbrooke, Robert Lowe, Viscount

(Encyclopedia)Sherbrooke, Robert Lowe, Viscount shûrˈbro͝ok [key], 1811–92, British statesman. He emigrated (1842) to Australia and achieved recognition as a reform politician. Returning (1850) to England, he ...