Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

414 results found

Gratz, Barnard

(Encyclopedia)Gratz, Barnard grăts [key], 1738–1801, American merchant, b. Langensdorf, Upper Silesia. Having worked in his cousin's countinghouse in London, Gratz emigrated (1754) to Philadelphia, where he beca...

Young, Edward

(Encyclopedia)Young, Edward, 1683–1765, English poet and dramatist. After a disappointing political life he took holy orders about 1724, serving for a time as the royal chaplain before becoming rector of Welwyn i...

Brentano, Clemens

(Encyclopedia)Brentano, Clemens brĕntäˈnō [key], 1778–1842, German poet of the romantic school; brother of Bettina von Arnim (see under Arnim, Achim von). While studying at Halle and Jena he met Wieland, Herd...

Brill

(Encyclopedia)Brill or Bril, Flemish painters, brothers. Mattys Brill mäˈtīs [key], 1550–83, went to Rome early in his career and executed frescoes for Gregory XIII in the Vatican. Paul Brill, 1554–1626, pro...

Zane, Ebenezer

(Encyclopedia)Zane, Ebenezer, 1747–1811, American pioneer and land speculator, b. near what is now Moorefield, W.Va. (then Virginia). With his brothers Silas and Jonathan, he went west in 1769 and established the...

Sher Ali

(Encyclopedia)Sher Ali shēr älēˈ, shâr [key], 1825–79, emir of Afghanistan (1863–79), son of Dost Muhammad. His succession was opposed by other members of his family, notably his brothers. Sher Ali turned ...

Pizarro, Juan

(Encyclopedia)Pizarro, Juan pēthärˈrō [key], d. 1536, Spanish conquistador, brother of Francisco Pizarro. He aided Francisco in the conquest of Peru. With his other brothers, Gonzalo and Hernando, he fought ag...

Carducci, Bartolomeo

(Encyclopedia)Carducci or Carducho, Bartolomeo bärtōlōmĕˈō kärdo͞otˈchē, kärdo͞oˈkō [key], 1560–1638, Italian painter, sculptor, and architect in Spain. He studied with Federigo Zuccaro, whom he acc...

Visconti, Luchino

(Encyclopedia)Visconti, Luchino vēskônˈtē [key], 1906–76, Italian film director and writer, b. Milan as Luchino Visconti de Modrone. One of Italy's most acclaimed directors, Visconti has been called the fath...

Howe, William Howe, 5th Viscount

(Encyclopedia)Howe, William Howe, 5th Viscount, 1729–1814, English general in the American Revolution; younger brother of Admiral Richard Howe. He took up a military career, and in the last of the French and Indi...