Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Stoneman, George

(Encyclopedia)Stoneman, George, 1822–94, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Busti, N.Y. As commander of Fort Brown, Tex., in Feb., 1861, he refused to obey the order of General Twiggs to surrender to Tex...

Utah War

(Encyclopedia)Utah War, in U.S. history, conflict between Mormons and the U.S. government. In the spring of 1857, President James Buchanan appointed a non-Mormon, Alfred Cumming, as governor of the Utah Territory, ...

Seeckt, Hans von

(Encyclopedia)Seeckt, Hans von häns fən zākt [key], 1866–1936, German general. He fought in Poland, Serbia, Romania, and Turkey during World War I. In 1920 he was made chief of the Reichswehr—the German army...

airmail

(Encyclopedia)airmail, transport of mail by airplanes. Demonstration flights that showed the feasibility of carrying mail by air were made in Great Britain and in the United States in 1911. In the United States, af...

Greene, Graham

(Encyclopedia)Greene, Graham (Henry Graham Greene), 1904–91, English novelist and playwright. Although most of his works combine elements of the detective story, the spy thriller, and the psychological drama, his...

Bucharest

(Encyclopedia)Bucharest bo͞oˈkərĕst, byo͞oˈ– [key], Rom. Bucureşti, city (2020 est. pop. ...

Calvinism

(Encyclopedia)Calvinism, term used in several different senses. It may indicate the teachings expressed by John Calvin himself; it may be extended to include all that developed from his doctrine and practice in Pro...

Pure Land Buddhism

(Encyclopedia)Pure Land Buddhism or Amidism, devotional sect of Mahayana Buddhism in China and Japan, centering on worship of the Buddha Amitabha. According to the Pure Land Sutras, composed in India in the 2d cent...

Glen Rock

(Encyclopedia)Glen Rock, borough (2020 pop. 12,133), Bergen co., NE N.J., a residential suburb of New York City; settled c.1710, inc. 1896. George Washington's army u...

Fort Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Fort Thomas, city (2020 pop. 15,999), Campbell co., N Ky., on the Ohio River, a residential suburb S of Cincinnati, Ohio; inc. 1867. The city was named ...