(Encyclopedia) Langland, William, c.1332–c.1400, putative author of Piers Plowman. He was born probably at Ledbury near the Welsh marshes and may have gone to school at Great Malvern Priory. Although…
(Encyclopedia) Matilda or Maud, 1102–67, queen of England, daughter of Henry I of England. Henry arranged a marriage for her with Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, and she was sent to Germany, betrothed,…
(Encyclopedia) Banville, John, 1945–, Irish novelist. His novels, which stress language over plot and narrative, are written in a dense, elaborate, and highly original blend of poetry and prose. They…
(Encyclopedia) Gielgud, Sir John (Arthur John Gielgud)Gielgud, Sir Johngĭlˈg&oobreve;d [key], 1904–2000, English actor, director, and producer. A grandnephew of Ellen Terry, Gielgud made his…
(Encyclopedia) Olivier, Laurence Kerr, Baron Olivier of BrightonOlivier, Laurence Kerr, Baron Olivier of Brightonōlĭvˈē-āˌ [key], 1907–89, English actor, director, and producer. He made his stage…
(Encyclopedia) Ellington, Duke (Edward Kennedy Ellington), 1899–1974, American jazz musician and composer, b. Washington, D.C. Ellington made his first professional appearance as a jazz pianist in…
(Encyclopedia) Simon, Neil (Marvin Neil Simon), 1927–2018, American playwright, b. the Bronx, New York City. His plays, nearly all of them popular with audiences, if not always with critics, are…
(Encyclopedia) Warner Brothers, American movie studio executives and producers. Sons of poor E European Jewish immigrants, the brothers were Harry Morris (1881–1958), Albert (1884–1967), Samuel Louis…
