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Valkyries

(Encyclopedia)Valkyries vălkērˈēz [key], in Germanic mythology, warrior maidens of Odin. They presided over battles, chose those who were to die, and brought the souls of the dead heroes back to Valhalla. Chief...

Tonson, Jacob

(Encyclopedia)Tonson, Jacob tŏnˈsən [key], 1656?–1736, English publisher. He and his brother Richard purchased the publication rights to Milton's Paradise Lost, a transaction later claimed as the firm's most p...

Speke, John Hanning

(Encyclopedia)Speke, John Hanning spēk [key], 1827–64, English explorer in Africa. He joined Sir Richard Burton in his expeditions to Somaliland (1854) and to E central Africa (1857–59). Together they discover...

carding

(Encyclopedia)carding, process by which fibers are opened, cleaned, and straightened in preparation for spinning. The fingers were first used, then a tool of wood or bone shaped like a hand, then two flat pieces of...

Pearson, David

(Encyclopedia)Pearson, David, 1934–, American auto racing driver, b. Spartanburg, S.C. In a 27-year National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing career (1960–86), the “Silver Fox” won a total of 105 Cup S...

Perley, Sir George Halsey

(Encyclopedia)Perley, Sir George Halsey, 1857–1938, Canadian statesman, b. Lebanon, N.H. As a child, he moved with his parents to Ottawa. In 1904 he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative,...

John of Gaunt

(Encyclopedia)John of Gaunt [Mid. Eng. Gaunt=Ghent, his birthplace], 1340–99, duke of Lancaster; fourth son of Edward III of England. He married (1359) Blanche, heiress of Lancaster, and through her became earl (...

Anti-Corn-Law League

(Encyclopedia)Anti-Corn-Law League, organization formed in 1839 to work for the repeal of the English corn laws. It was an affiliation of groups in various cities and districts with headquarters at Manchester and w...

Hewlett, Maurice Henry

(Encyclopedia)Hewlett, Maurice Henry hyo͞oˈĭt [key], 1861–1923, English novelist, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his historical romances, such as The Forest Lovers (1898; based on Malory), The Life a...

Hahn, James Kenneth

(Encyclopedia)Hahn, James Kenneth, 1951–, American politician. Born into a Los Angeles political family, he is a Democratic lawyer who first served in city government (1981–85) as controller. As city attorney (...