(Encyclopedia) Blackstone, Sir William, 1723–80, English jurist. At first unsuccessful in legal practice, he turned to scholarship and teaching. He became (1758) the first Vinerian professor of law…
(Encyclopedia) Heywood, JohnHeywood, Johnhāˈw&oobreve;d [key], 1497?–1580?, English dramatist. He was employed at the courts of Henry VIII and Mary I as a singer, musician, and playwright. At the…
(Encyclopedia) Spender, Sir Stephen, 1909–95, English poet and critic, b. London. His early poetry—like that of W. H. Auden, C. Day Lewis, and Louis MacNeice, with whom he became associated at Oxford…
(Encyclopedia) John Birch Society, ultraconservative, anti-Communist organization in the United States. It was founded in Dec., 1958, by manufacturer Robert Welch, headquartered in Belmont, Mass.,…
(Encyclopedia) Guthrie, Sir Tyrone, 1900–1971, English stage director, playwright, and writer. Guthrie directed the Scottish National Players (1926–28), the Festival Theatre, Cambridge (1929–30), and…
(Encyclopedia) Lindsay or Lyndsay, Sir DavidLindsay or Lyndsay, Sir Davidboth: lĭnˈzē [key], c.1490–c.1555, Scottish poet. He was a courtier and diplomat by profession. As a writer he was a harsh…
(Encyclopedia) Skelton, John, 1460–1529, English poet and humanist. Tutor to Prince Henry (later Henry VIII), he later (c.1502) became rector of Diss, Norfolk. In 1512 he began to call himself royal…
(Encyclopedia) Malory, Sir ThomasMalory, Sir Thomasmălˈərē [key], d. 1471, English author of Morte d'Arthur. It is almost certain that he was Sir Thomas Malory of Newbold Revell, Warwickshire.…
