(Encyclopedia) Lane, Franklin Knight, 1864–1921, U.S. Secretary of the Interior (1913–20), b. near Charlottetown, P.E.I., Canada. Raised in California, he later studied law and practiced in San…
(Encyclopedia) Ritchey, George Willis, 1864–1945, American astronomer, b. Meigs co., Ohio, studied at the Univ. of Cincinnati (1883–84, 1886–87). He was superintendent of instrument construction (…
(Encyclopedia) Shapley, HarlowShapley, Harlowshăpˈlē [key], 1885–1972, American astronomer, b. Nashville, Mo., grad. Univ. of Missouri, 1910, Ph.D. Princeton, 1913. He was astronomer at Mt. Wilson…
(Encyclopedia) zydecozydecozīˈdĭkōˌ [key], American musical form originating among the African-American Creoles of Louisiana. Drawing on elements of traditional Cajun music as well as jazz, country…
(Encyclopedia) Hudson, William Henry, 1841–1922, English author and naturalist, b. Quilmes, Argentina, of American parents. He spent his childhood on the pampas but developed a heart condition and…
(Encyclopedia) Burleson, Albert SidneyBurleson, Albert Sidneybûrˈləsən [key], 1863–1937, U.S. Postmaster General (1913–21), b. San Marcos, Tex.; grandson of Edward Burleson. He was a lawyer of Austin…
(Encyclopedia) Millay, Edna St. VincentMillay, Edna St. Vincentmĭlāˈ [key], 1892–1950, American poet, b. Rockland, Maine, grad. Vassar College, 1917. One of the most popular poets of her era, Millay…
(Encyclopedia) cloud chamber, device used to detect elementary particles and other ionizing radiation. A cloud chamber consists essentially of a closed container filled with a supersaturated vapor, e…
(Encyclopedia) Star-Spangled Banner, The, American national anthem, beginning, “O say can you see by the dawn's early light.” The words were written by Francis Scott Key, a young Washington attorney…
Read bios on all of the U.S. presidents from George Washington to Ulysses S. Grant to Barack Obama. George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson James Madison…
