Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

310 results found

Morrisville

(Encyclopedia)Morrisville, borough (1990 pop. 9,765), Bucks co., SE Pa., on the Delaware River opposite Trenton, N.J.; settled c.1624 by the Dutch West India Company, inc. 1804. Water pumps, clutches, coatings, and...

Eastern Shore

(Encyclopedia)Eastern Shore, the tidewater region along E shore of Chesapeake Bay, including all of Maryland and Virginia E of the bay. The region's economy was historically based largely on agriculture and fishing...

McKean, Thomas

(Encyclopedia)McKean, Thomas məkānˈ, –kēnˈ [key], 1734–1817, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. New London, Pa. He settled at New Castle, Del., and b...

Chesapeake Bay

(Encyclopedia)Chesapeake Bay, inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, c.200 mi (320 km) long, from 3 to 30 mi (4.8–48 km) wide, and 3,237 sq mi (8,384 sq km), separating the Delmarva Peninsula from mainland Maryland. and Vi...

Dickinson, John

(Encyclopedia)Dickinson, John, 1732–1808, American patriot and statesman, b. Talbot co., Md. After studying law in Philadelphia and in London at the Middle Temple, he developed a highly successful practice in Phi...

Nazarite

(Encyclopedia)Nazarite năzˈərītˌ [key] [Heb. nazir=consecrated], in the Bible, a man dedicated to God. The Nazarite, after taking a special vow, abstained from intoxicating beverages, never cut his hair, and a...

Smohalla

(Encyclopedia)Smohalla smōhălˈə [key], c.1815–1907, Native American prophet, chief of a small tribe (the Wanapun) of the Columbia River valley. He preached a religion based on a vision of returning to Native ...

Waubeshiek

(Encyclopedia)Waubeshiek wôˈbəshēk [key], c.1794–c.1841, Native North American prophet, also known as White Cloud. He was a friend and adviser of Black Hawk and by prophesying victory was chiefly responsible ...

Elijah

(Encyclopedia)Elijah ēlīˈəs [key] [both: Heb.,=Yahweh is God], fl. c.875 b.c., Hebrew prophet in the reign of King Ahab. He is one of the outstanding figures of the Bible. Elijah's mission was to destroy the wo...

Leutze, Emanuel

(Encyclopedia)Leutze, Emanuel loitˈsə [key], 1816–68, American historical painter, b. Germany. In 1859 he settled in the United States, working in Washington, D.C., and New York City. His pictures are chiefly E...