(Encyclopedia) George, Saint, 4th cent.?, perhaps a soldier in the imperial army who died for the faith in Asia Minor. His life is cloaked in legends; Gibbon's identification of him with George of…
(Encyclopedia) Lydgate, JohnLydgate, Johnlĭdˈgāt [key], c.1370–c.1450, English poet, a monk of Bury St. Edmunds. A professed disciple of Chaucer, he was one of the most influential, voluminous, and…
(Encyclopedia) Büchner, GeorgBüchner, Georggāˈôrk bükhˈnər [key], 1813–37, German dramatist. He was a student of medicine and a political agitator. He died at the age of 24, leaving a powerful drama…
(Encyclopedia) tarotstarotstârˈōz [key], playing cards that are used mainly for fortunetelling, sometimes called “the book of divination of the Gypsies.” It is generally believed that the cards were…
(Encyclopedia) Timothy, two letters of the New Testament. With Titus they comprise the Pastoral Epistles, in which St. Paul addresses his coworkers as the guardians and transmitters of his teaching.…
(Encyclopedia) Calvino, ItaloCalvino, Italoĭtəlō călvēˈnō [key], 1923–85, Italian novelist. Calvino was one of the most popular novelists of the 20th cent. Although loneliness is an essential…
actorBorn: 10/22/1938Birthplace: Leytonstone, East London, England Sir Derek Jacobi's myriad stage roles have included Cyrano de Bergerac, Uncle Vanya, Adolf Hitler, Oedipus Rex, and a slew of…
Unlucky No. 13 combines Christian and pagan beliefs by David Johnson Related Links Our Favorite PhobiasSports and the Number 13The Hoax Files Phobias Quizzes Quiz: Phobias, Part I…
JACKSON, Richard, Jr., a Representative from Rhode Island; born in Providence, R.I., July 3, 1764; completed preparatory studies in the schools of Providence and Pomfret, Conn.; entered the…
(Encyclopedia) Kermode, Sir FrankKermode, Sir Frankkärˈmədē [key], 1919–2010, English critic, b. Douglas, Isle of Man. Educated at Liverpool Univ. (grad. 1940) and a lieutenant in the Royal Navy…
