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Bresson, Robert

(Encyclopedia)Bresson, Robert rôbĕrˈ brĕsôNˈ [key], 1901–99, French film director and scriptwriter, b. Bromont-Lamottie, France. Bresson's films tend to be austere, unadorned, and concerned more with intell...

Midrash

(Encyclopedia)Midrash mĭdˈräsh [key] [Heb.,=to examine, to investigate], verse by verse interpretation of Hebrew Scriptures, consisting of homily and exegesis, by Jewish teachers since about 400 b.c. Distinction...

Halloween

(Encyclopedia)Halloween säˈwĭn [key], the beginning of winter and the Celtic new year. Spirits, or fairies, were said to roam the earth on this evening, playing tricks on human beings to mark the season of dimin...

Sagarra, Josep Maria de

(Encyclopedia)Sagarra, Josep Maria de (Josep Maria de Sagarra i Castellarnau) zhōsĕpˈ mərēˈə dā səgärˈrə ē kästəl-lyärˈnou [key], 1894–1961, Catalonian poet, novelist, and playwright. He publishe...

Chabannes, Antoine de, comte de Dammartin

(Encyclopedia)Chabannes, Antoine de, comte de Dammartin äNtwänˈ də shäbänˈ kôNt də dämmärtăNˈ [key], 1408?–1488, French soldier in the Hundred Years War. He served with Joan of Arc, distinguishing hi...

McCormick, Robert Sanderson

(Encyclopedia)McCormick, Robert Sanderson, 1849–1919, American diplomat, b. Rockbridge co., Va.; nephew of Cyrus Hall McCormick. President McKinley appointed (1901) him minister to Austria-Hungary. He became the ...

Kanin, Garson

(Encyclopedia)Kanin, Garson kāˈnən [key], 1912–99, American director and writer, b. Rochester, N.Y.; grad. American Academy of Dramatic Arts, 1933. He worked as a saxophonist, comedian, and actor before becomi...

Michael, archangel

(Encyclopedia)Michael mīˈkəl [key] [Heb.,=who is like God?], archangel prominent in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. In the Bible and early Jewish literature, Michael is one of the angels of God's prese...

Michelet, Jules

(Encyclopedia)Michelet, Jules zhül mēshəlāˈ [key], 1798–1874, French writer, the greatest historian of the romantic school. Born in Paris of poor parents, he visualized himself throughout his life as a champ...

Bergman, Ingrid

(Encyclopedia)Bergman, Ingrid bûrgˈmən [key], 1915–82, Swedish actress, b. Stockholm. Specializing in portrayals of strong, dignified, and sophisticated women, Bergman was acclaimed for her performance in Joan...