(Encyclopedia) Billings, William, 1746–1800, American hymn composer, b. Boston. A tanner by trade, he was one of the earliest American-born composers. He wrote popular hymns and sacred choruses of…
(Encyclopedia) Burges, WilliamBurges, Williambûrˈjĭz [key], 1827–81, English architect. An ardent proponent of Victorian medievalism, he was prominent in the Gothic revival. Burges is known for his…
(Encyclopedia) Burgis, WilliamBurgis, Williambûrˈjĭs [key], fl. 1717–31, American engraver and publisher of maps and views, b. London. His name appears as publisher on the views South Prospect of ye…
(Encyclopedia) Butterfield, William, 1814–1900, English Gothic-revival architect. Favored by the Ecclesiological Society for his Puginlike correctness in recalling Gothic forms, Butterfield rose to…
(Encyclopedia) Browne, William (William Browne of Tavistock)Browne, Williamtăvˈĭstŏkˌ [key], 1591?–1645?, English poet. An imitator of Spenser, he did his finest work in pastoral poetry, of which…
(Encyclopedia) Buckland, William, 1784–1856, English geologist. He was dean of Westminster from 1845. First to note in England the action of glacial ice on rocks, he did much to bring physical and…
(Encyclopedia) Caxton, William, c.1421–91, English printer, the first to print books in English. He served apprenticeship as a mercer and from 1463 to 1469 was at Bruges as governor of the Merchants…
(Encyclopedia) Brewster, William, 1567–1644, English separatist and Plymouth colonist. After studying briefly at Cambridge he became the chief member of the congregation at Scrooby that broke away,…
