(Encyclopedia) Wotton, William, 1666–1727, English scholar. He is best known for his Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning (1694), a defense of contemporary learning written in response to an…
(Encyclopedia) Ledyard, WilliamLedyard, Williamlĕdˈyərd [key], 1738–81, American Revolutionary officer, b. Groton, Conn. In 1781, as commander of Fort Griswold (near Groton), he refused to surrender…
(Encyclopedia) Savery, WilliamSavery, Williamsāˈvərē [key], 1721–87, American cabinetmaker. He is believed to have lived in Philadelphia from c.1740. Savery is noted for his artistic and original…
(Encyclopedia) Combe, WilliamCombe, Williamk&oobreve;m, kōm [key], 1741–1823, English satirist and miscellaneous writer, b. Bristol. His writing was mainly hack work, issued anonymously to avoid…
(Encyclopedia) Paca, WilliamPaca, Williampāˈkə, păkˈə [key], 1740–99, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. near Abingdon, Md. A lawyer and…
Senate Years of Service: 1809-1814Party: Democratic RepublicanBRENT, Richard, (uncle of William Leigh Brent and nephew of Daniel Carroll), a Representative and a Senator from Virginia; born at…
(Encyclopedia) Maginn, WilliamMaginn, Williamməgĭnˈ [key], 1793–1842, Irish writer. Some of his best stories and essays appeared in Blackwood's Magazine. His short story “Bob Burke's Duel with Ensign…
(Encyclopedia) Rockefeller, William, 1841–1922, American financier, b. Tioga co., N.Y.; brother of John D. Rockefeller. He joined (1865) his brother in the oil-refining business. William was a…
(Encyclopedia) Alabaster, WilliamAlabaster, Williamălˌəbăsˈtər, ălˈəbăsˌtər [key], 1567–1640, English theologian and poet. Although he wrote two epic poems in Latin, he is remembered for his…