Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Whipple, William

(Encyclopedia)Whipple, William, 1730–85, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Kittery, Maine. Whipple, who had been a sea captain, was a merchant of Portsmout...

Armstrong, John, 1717?–1795, American pioneer

(Encyclopedia)Armstrong, John, 1717?–1795, American pioneer, known as the “hero of Kittanning,” b. Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. He laid out the town of Carlisle, Pa. In 1756 he led the expedition that destroyed Ki...

minutemen

(Encyclopedia)minutemen, in the American Revolution, colonial militiamen or armed citizens who agreed to turn out for service at a minute's notice. The term minutemen is used especially for the men who were enrolle...

Laval, town, France

(Encyclopedia)Laval, town (1990 pop. 53,478), capital of Mayenne dept., NW France, in Maine. It has been noted for its linen products since the 14th cent. Among its other industrial products are textiles, shoes, fu...

Fanning, David

(Encyclopedia)Fanning, David, c.1755–1825, American Loyalist in the American Revolution, b. Amelia co., Va. He led raids on the colonials in the Carolinas and wrote (1790) an account of his adventures in The Narr...

Syme, Sir Ronald

(Encyclopedia)Syme, Sir Ronald, 1903–89, British historian. After studying and teaching at Oxford, he served the British government in Belgrade and Ankara during World War II and taught (1942–45) at İstanbul U...

War of Independence

(Encyclopedia)War of Independence: 1 In Spanish history, see Peninsular War, 1808–14. 2 In U.S. history, see American Revolution. ...

Bound Brook

(Encyclopedia)Bound Brook, borough (2020 pop. 10,030), Somerset co., N central N.J., on the Raritan River; settled 1681, inc. 1891. Largely residential, it produces c...

Nicholas, Russian grand duke

(Encyclopedia)Nicholas (Nikolai Nikolayevich) nyĭkəlīˈ nyĭkəlīˈəvĭch [key], 1856–1929, Russian grand duke and army officer; first cousin of Czar Alexander III and grandson of Czar Nicholas I. He served ...

Nottingham, Daniel Finch

(Encyclopedia)Nottingham, Daniel Finch, 2d earl of, 1647–1730, English politician, son of Heneage Finch, the 1st earl. A staunch supporter of the Church of England, he disapproved of James II's pro–Roman Cathol...