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Bascom, Henry Bidleman

(Encyclopedia)Bascom, Henry Bidleman băsˈkəm [key], 1796–1850, American Methodist minister and college president, b. Hancock, N.Y. At the age of 17 he became a preacher in the Ohio Methodist Conference and was...

carnival

(Encyclopedia)carnival, communal celebration, especially the religious celebration in Catholic countries that takes place just before Lent. Since early times carnivals have been accompanied by parades, masquerades,...

sociology

(Encyclopedia)sociology, scientific study of human social behavior. As the study of humans in their collective aspect, sociology is concerned with all group activities—economic, social, political, and religious. ...

Erskine, John, 1721?–1803, Scottish theologian

(Encyclopedia)Erskine, John, 1721?–1803, Scottish theologian. A leader of the evangelical party in the Church of Scotland, he was minister successively at Kirkintilloch, Culross, and New Greyfriars Church, Edinbu...

Pusey, Edward Bouverie

(Encyclopedia)Pusey, Edward Bouverie pyo͞oˈzē [key], 1800–1882, English clergyman, leader in the Oxford movement. Having studied at Christ Church College, Oxford, Pusey was elected a fellow of Oriel College (1...

Rapp, George

(Encyclopedia)Rapp, George, 1757–1847, German religious leader, known as Father Rapp, b. Württemberg. In 1803 he emigrated to the United States, where he and his followers, known as Rappites, formed the Harmony ...

Fielding, Antony Vandyke Copley

(Encyclopedia)Fielding, Antony Vandyke Copley, 1787–1855, English landscape painter in watercolor. For the last 24 years of his life he was president of the Water Colour Society, where he exhibited yearly. Fieldi...

Hadley, John

(Encyclopedia)Hadley, John, 1682–1744, English instrument maker. An optician by trade, Hadley built reflecting telescopes, based on Newton's model, that had greater resolution than the cumbersome refractors then ...

Sperry, Elmer Ambrose

(Encyclopedia)Sperry, Elmer Ambrose, 1860–1930, American inventor, b. Cortland, N.Y. Although probably best known for his work on the gyroscope, he also invented the gyrocompass (1910), an extremely effective hig...

Sprat, Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Sprat, Thomas, 1635–1713, English author, bishop of Rochester and dean of Westminster. His poem on the death of Oliver Cromwell was published in Dryden's Miscellany (1659). Sprat is best remembered ...