The United States is home to roughly 40% of the world's billionaires. About 10% of America's richest citizens have committed to participate in the Giving Pledge and donate at least 50% of their…
(Encyclopedia) Ransom, John Crowe, 1888–1974, American poet and critic, b. Pulaski, Tenn., grad. Vanderbilt Univ. and studied at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar. He is considered one of the great stylists…
(Encyclopedia) Wilkinson, Jemima, 1752–1819, American religious leader, b. Cumberland, R.I. As a girl she was powerfully impressed by the sermons of George Whitefield and also aspired to emulate the…
(Encyclopedia) National Ballet of Canada, the leading Canadian ballet company. Based in Toronto, it was founded (1951) by Celia Franca (1921–2007) and modeled on Sadler's Wells (now the Royal Ballet…
These books were chosen by a committee of librarians, educators, and other professionals for the Association for Library Service to Children. Younger Readers…
(Encyclopedia) WatervlietWatervlietwôˌtərvlētˈ, wôˈtərvlētˌ, wŏˈ– [key], industrial city (1990 pop. 11,061), Albany co., E N.Y., on the Hudson River, opposite Troy, near the terminus of the Erie…
alternative country music band One of the most prominent alternative country bands of the '90s, the Jayhawks was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1985 when bass player Mark Olson got together…
(Encyclopedia) Shakers, popular name for members of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, also called the Millennial Church. Members of the movement, who received their name…