Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Bache, Richard

(Encyclopedia)Bache, Richard, 1737–1811, American merchant, b. Yorkshire, England. He came to New York City in 1765 to join an older brother in the mercantile business. Bache soon moved to Philadelphia in the int...

Bradford, William, 1663–1752, British printer in the American colonies

(Encyclopedia)Bradford, William, 1663–1752, British pioneer printer in the American colonies. Born in Leicestershire, England, he served an apprenticeship under a London printer before emigrating in 1685 to Phila...

nudism

(Encyclopedia)nudism or naturism, practice of going without clothing in social settings, generally in mixed gender groups and for purposes of good health or personal comfort. Governed by a strict set of rules, the ...

psychokinesis

(Encyclopedia)psychokinesis, movement or deformation of a physical object by thought or willpower alone (i.e., without the application of physical force). Telekinesis (sometimes abbreviated TK), an older term for p...

Hodge, Frederick Webb

(Encyclopedia)Hodge, Frederick Webb, 1864–1956, American anthropologist, b. England. He was taken to the United States at the age of seven. He entered the field of archaeology through service (1884–86) in the S...

Divine, Father

(Encyclopedia)Divine, Father, c.1882–1965, African-American religious leader, founder of the Peace Mission movement, b. probably near Savannah, Ga. and named George Baker. After preaching in the South, he moved t...

Antifa

(Encyclopedia)Antifa, American political movement, is a loose coalition of progressive voices opposing the rise of homophobic, authoritarian, xenophobic, and racist movements worldwide. Inspired by the ...

Navigation Acts

(Encyclopedia)Navigation Acts, in English history, name given to certain parliamentary legislation, more properly called the British Acts of Trade. The acts were an outgrowth of mercantilism, and followed principle...

Proud Boys

(Encyclopedia)Proud Boys, American political movement. Founded in 2016 by Vice Media cofounder Gavin McInnes, the Proud Boys promotes the philosophy of far-right, ne...

Stevenson, Adlai Ewing, 1900–1965, American statesman

(Encyclopedia)Stevenson, Adlai Ewing, 1900–1965, American statesman, b. Los Angeles; grandson of Adlai Ewing Stevenson (1835–1914). A graduate (1922) of Princeton, he received his law degree from Northwestern U...