(Encyclopedia) Burton, Richard, 1925–84, British actor, b. Pontrhydfen, Wales; his original name was Richard Jenkins. A dark, introspective actor with a splendid speaking voice, Burton specialized in…
(Encyclopedia) surrogate mother, a woman who agrees, usually by contract and for a fee, to bear a child for a couple who are childless because the wife is infertile or physically incapable of…
(Encyclopedia) Tower of London, ancient fortress in London, England, just east of the City and on the north bank of the Thames, covering about 13 acres (5.3 hectares). Now used mainly as a museum, it…
(Encyclopedia) philatelyphilatelyfĭlătˈəlē [key], collection and study of postage stamps and of materials relating to their history and use. Collecting stamps began soon after the first postage stamp…
(Encyclopedia) San Francisco Opera, opera company, founded 1923 by Italian-American conductor Gaetano Merola, who oversaw its early years as a touring company. In 1932 it established a permanent home…
(Encyclopedia) Osterman, Andrei Ivanovich, CountOsterman, Andrei Ivanovich, Countəndrāˈ ēväˈnəvĭch əstyĭrmänˈ [key], 1686–1747, Russian statesman, b. Germany. His original name was Heinrich Johann…
OLIVER, James Churchill, a Representative from Maine; born in South Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, August 6, 1895; attended the public schools; Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, A.B.,…
Senate Years of Service: 1863-1863Party: DemocratWALL, James Walter, (son of Garret Dorset Wall), a Senator from New Jersey; born in Trenton, N.J., May 26, 1820; was tutored privately in…
Born: 4/28/1758Birthplace: Westmoreland County, Va. James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Va. A William and Mary graduate, he served in the army during the first years of…