musical group Amy Ray and Emily Saliers began singing together during high school and have remained partners ever since, adopting the moniker Indigo Girls in 1985. That partnership has proven…
(Encyclopedia) Irving, Sir Henry, 1838–1905, English actor and theatrical manager, originally named John Henry Brodribb. He made his debut in 1856 and achieved fame in 1871 with his portrayal of…
(Encyclopedia) Weaver, Sigourney , 1949- , American actress, b. New York, N.Y., as Susan Alexandra Weaver, Stanford Univ. (B.A., 1972), Yale Univ. (M.…
by Mark Hughes The American public has always been fascinated by first families. We know much about the lives of the presidents and first ladies, but what about the children in the White…
Find everything you need to know about the 86th Academy Awards. Read biographies of the nominees as well as past hosts of the show. Check out Oscar trivia, quizzes and features while you…
(Encyclopedia) Kean, Edmund, 1787?–1833, English actor. Kean's acting expressed the ideal of the romantic temperament. A small man with a wild spirit and a gruff voice, he was lauded for his facial…
(Encyclopedia) Meredith, George, 1828–1909, English novelist and poet. One of the great English novelists, Meredith wrote complex, often comic yet highly cerebral works that contain striking…
(Encyclopedia) Gbowee, Leymah RobertaGbowee, Leymah Robertalāˈmä, bōwēˈ [key], 1972–, Liberian peace activist. A social worker and trauma counselor, she worked with ex-child soldiers from Charles…
The first five editions of The Columbia Encyclopedia were published in 1935, 1950, 1963, 1975, and 1993. All editions owe a debt of gratitude to Clark Fisher Ansley, the editor of the first edition,…
