(Encyclopedia) Quitman, John Anthony, 1798–1858, American general and politician, b. Rhinebeck, N.Y. He settled in Natchez, Miss., where he practiced law and held a series of political offices,…
(Encyclopedia) Holmes, John HaynesHolmes, John Hayneshōmz [key], 1879–1964, American clergyman, b. Philadelphia, grad. Harvard, 1902, and Harvard Divinity School, 1904. For 42 years (1907–49) he was…
(Encyclopedia) Brashear, John AlfredBrashear, John Alfredbrəshērˈ [key], 1840–1920, American maker of scientific instruments and educator, b. Brownsville, Pa. A mechanic by trade, he taught himself…
(Encyclopedia) Motley, John Lothrop, 1814–77, American historian and diplomat, b. Dorchester, Mass. Author of two novels concerning Thomas Morton (1839 and 1849), as well as a number of articles for…
(Encyclopedia) Altgeld, John PeterAltgeld, John Peterältˈgĕlt [key], 1847–1902, American politician, governor of Illinois (1892–96), b. Germany. He was taken by his immigrant parents to Ohio, where…
(Encyclopedia) Ashbery, John, 1927–2017, American poet, b. Rochester, N.Y., grad. Harvard (B.A., 1949), Columbia (M.A., 1951). Among the most acclaimed and influential American poets of his era, he…
U.S. Senator, Massachusetts Born: Dec. 11, 1943Birthplace: Denver, Colo. Kerry was raised Catholic in a family of privilege, and spent part of his childhood living in Europe. His mother was a…
(Encyclopedia) Browere, John Henri IsaacBrowere, John Henri Isaacbrouˈər [key], 1792–1834, American sculptor, b. New York City, studied painting in New York under Archibald Robertson and sculpture in…
George W. Bush's secretary of DefenseBorn: 7/9/1932Birthplace: Chicago, Ill. The ultimate Washington insider, Rumsfeld became President Bush's secretary of defense in January 2001. He held the…
scientist, writerBorn: 3/30/1909Birthplace: Vienna, Austria Vienna-born polymath who wrote about subjects ranging from classical music to psychology to white ants. But he's best known for his…