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Brewster, Sir David

(Encyclopedia)Brewster, Sir David, 1781–1868, Scottish physicist and natural philosopher. He is noted especially for his research into the polarization of light (the invention of the kaleidoscope was one result o...

Brittan, Sir Leon

(Encyclopedia)Brittan, Sir Leon brĭtˈən [key], 1939–, British politician. Educated at Cambridge, he was elected to Parliament as a Conservative in 1974. Under Margaret Thatcher he served as home secretary (198...

Brock, Sir Isaac

(Encyclopedia)Brock, Sir Isaac, 1769–1812, British general, Canadian hero of the War of 1812. A British army officer, he was sent to Canada in 1802 and was given command (1806) of Upper and Lower Canada. He stren...

Brock, Sir Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Brock, Sir Thomas, 1847–1922, English sculptor. One of the leading sculptors under the reign of Victoria, he enjoyed a long and successful career. He became an Academician in 1891 and was knighted i...

Campbell, Sir Malcolm

(Encyclopedia)Campbell, Sir Malcolm, 1885–1949, English automobile and speedboat racer. A racing enthusiast from boyhood, Campbell set many speed records for motorcycles, airplanes, automobiles, and motorboats an...

Westmacott, Sir Richard

(Encyclopedia)Westmacott, Sir Richard wĕstˈməkŏt [key], 1775–1856, English sculptor. He worked in the studio of his father, also a sculptor, and in Italy under Canova. His work includes statues in the neoclas...

Wheatstone, Sir Charles

(Encyclopedia)Wheatstone, Sir Charles hwētˈstōn, –stən [key], 1802–75, English physicist and inventor. He was professor at King's College, London, from 1834. A pioneer in telegraphy, he was coinventor with ...

Whittle, Sir Frank

(Encyclopedia)Whittle, Sir Frank, 1907–96, English aeronautical engineer. Whittle was one of the first persons to associate the gas turbine with jet propulsion. Previously the gas turbine had been regarded as a m...

Bello, Sir Ahmadu

(Encyclopedia)Bello, Sir Ahmadu, 1910–66, Nigerian political, b. Rabbah (now in Sokoto State), NW Nigeria. A Fulani and descendent of Usuman dan Fodio, the founder of the Sokoto caliphate, he was a major figure i...

Blackstone, Sir William

(Encyclopedia)Blackstone, Sir William, 1723–80, English jurist. At first unsuccessful in legal practice, he turned to scholarship and teaching. He became (1758) the first Vinerian professor of law at Oxford, wher...