(Encyclopedia) Coppard, Alfred EdgarCoppard, Alfred Edgarkŏpˈärd [key], 1878–1957, English author. Almost entirely self-educated, he worked at several clerical positions. His tales, written in a…
(Encyclopedia) politburo, the former central policy-making and governing body of the Communist party of the Soviet Union and, with minor variations, of other Communist parties. It was first created…
(Encyclopedia) midsummer day and midsummer night, names given to the feast of the nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24) and the preceding night (St. John's Eve, June 23). Because midsummer is…
(Encyclopedia) Thornhill, Sir James, 1676–1734, English decorative artist. George I made him court painter and later knighted him. He executed decorations in Hampton Court and the cupola of St. Paul'…
(Encyclopedia) Trevithick, RichardTrevithick, Richardtrĕvˈĭthĭk [key], 1771–1833, British engineer and inventor, b. Cornwall. He is known as the father of locomotive power because of his invention (…
(Encyclopedia) AdamAdamădˈəm [key], [Heb.,=man], in the Bible, the first man. In the Book of Genesis, God creates humankind in his image as a species of male and female, giving them dominion over…
STEELE, John Benedict, a Representative from New York; born in Delhi, N.Y., March 28, 1814; attended Delaware Academy at Delhi and was graduated in law from Williams College, Williamstown,…
(Encyclopedia) crèchecrèchekrĕsh, krāsh [key], representation of the Infant Jesus in the manger, usually surrounded by figures of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals, and the Wise Men; also called…
(Encyclopedia) Afinogenov, Aleksandr NikolayevichAfinogenov, Aleksandr Nikolayevichəlyĭksänˈdər nyĭkəlīˈəvĭch əfēˌnəgyĕˈnəf [key], 1904–41, Russian playwright. In his early plays he wrote of labor…
(Encyclopedia) Advent [Lat.,=coming], season of the Christian ecclesiastical year preceding Christmas, lasting in the West from the Sunday nearest Nov. 30 (St. Andrew's Day) until Christmas Eve. In…
