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Gray, Robert

(Encyclopedia)Gray, Robert, 1755–1806, American sea captain, discoverer of the Columbia River, b. Tiverton, R.I. He probably served in the Continental navy in the American Revolution. In 1787 he and Capt. John Ke...

Paine, Robert Treat

(Encyclopedia)Paine, Robert Treat, 1731–1814, political figure in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Boston, Mass. He served briefly as a chaplain in the French and Indian War ...

Dummer, Jeremiah, c.1680–1739, colonial agent for Massachusetts and Connecticut

(Encyclopedia)Dummer, Jeremiah, c.1680–1739, colonial agent for Massachusetts and Connecticut, b. Boston; son of Jeremiah Dummer (1645–1718). He saw little opportunity for business in Boston and settled in Engl...

Calef, Robert

(Encyclopedia)Calef, Robert kāˈləf [key], 1648–1719, known primarily as author of More Wonders of the Invisible World (1700). A Boston cloth merchant, probably born in England, he bitterly attacked Cotton Math...

Ward, Artemas

(Encyclopedia)Ward, Artemas ärˈtĭməs [key], 1727–1800, American general in the American Revolution, b. Shrewsbury, Mass. He was active in colonial politics and served in the French and Indian War. As head of ...

Wayland

(Encyclopedia)Wayland, town (1990 pop. 11,874), Middlesex co., E Mass., W of Boston; settled c.1638, inc. 1835. Electronic and chemical research is carried on there. ...

Maderna, Bruno

(Encyclopedia)Maderna, Bruno bro͞oˈnō mädĕrˈnä [key], 1920–73, Italian composer and conductor, b. Venice. Maderna studied composing with Gian Francesco Malipiero and conducting with Hermann Scherchen. As a...

Santa Fe Opera

(Encyclopedia)Santa Fe Opera, summer opera festival held outside Santa Fe, N. Mex., founded 1957. Featuring outstanding young singers and musicians, it presents a wide variety of operas from the standard repertory ...

Scherchen, Hermann

(Encyclopedia)Scherchen, Hermann hĕrˈmän shĕrˈkhĕn [key], 1891–1966, German conductor. Scherchen was largely self-taught. He played viola in the Berlin Philharmonic (1907–10) and made his debut there as a...

Viotti, Giovanni Battista

(Encyclopedia)Viotti, Giovanni Battista jōvänˈnē bät-tēsˈtä vyôtˈtē [key], 1755–1824, Italian violinist, considered the greatest of his day. He made public appearances until 1783, and the next year he ...