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Vinland

(Encyclopedia) Vinland or Wineland, section of North America discovered by Leif Ericsson in the 11th cent. The sources for the knowledge of Leif Ericsson's exploration differ as to whether it was…

Smith, Sydney

(Encyclopedia) Smith, Sydney, 1771–1845, English clergyman, writer, and wit, ordained in the Church of England in 1794. In 1798 he went as a tutor to Edinburgh, where he studied medicine,…

Houdini, Harry

(Encyclopedia) Houdini, HarryHoudini, Harryh&oomacr;dēˈnē [key], 1874–1926, American magician and writer, b. Budapest, Hungary, as Erik Weisz, later modified to Ehrich Weiss; his stage name…

Irish literary renaissance

(Encyclopedia) Irish literary renaissance, late 19th- and early 20th-century movement that aimed at reviving ancient Irish folklore, legends, and traditions in new literary works. The movement, also…

metaphysics

(Encyclopedia) metaphysicsmetaphysicsmĕtəfĭzˈĭks [key], branch of philosophy concerned with the ultimate nature of existence. It perpetuates the Metaphysics of Aristotle, a collection of treatises…

Botha, Pieter Willem

(Encyclopedia) Botha, Pieter WillemBotha, Pieter Willempēˈtər vĭlˈəm bōˈtə [key], 1916–2006, South African political leader. An Afrikaner and a member of the right-wing National party, he first…

manuscript

(Encyclopedia) manuscript, a handwritten work as distinguished from printing. The oldest manuscripts, those found in Egyptian tombs, were written on papyrus; the earliest dates from c.3500 b.c.…

Richard THOMAS, Congress, PA (1744-1832)

THOMAS Richard , a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in West Whiteland, Pa., December 30, 1744; educated at home by private teachers; served in the Revolutionary Army as colonel of the First…

Sennett, Mack

(Encyclopedia) Sennett, MackSennett, Macksĕnˈĭt [key], 1884–1960, American movie director and producer, b. Danville, Que. In 1909 he began working for D. W. Griffith at the Biograph Company, and in…

Schrödinger, Erwin

(Encyclopedia) Schrödinger, ErwinSchrödinger, Erwinĕrˈvĭn shröˈdĭng-ər [key], 1887–1961, Austrian theoretical physicist. He was educated at Vienna, taught at Breslau and Zürich, and was professor at…