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Tucker, Abraham

(Encyclopedia)Tucker, Abraham, 1705–74, English philosopher, b. London. He studied law at Merton College, Oxford, and later devoted himself to independent study. He advanced the ethical view that each man seeks h...

Pynson, Richard

(Encyclopedia)Pynson, Richard pĭnˈsən [key], d. 1530, English printer, b. Normandy. He moved to England c.1482 and in 1491 or 1492 began printing books pertaining to law in London. He became king's printer (to H...

Flecker, James Elroy

(Encyclopedia)Flecker, James Elroy, 1884–1915, English poet and playwright. From 1910–13 he served in the diplomatic corps. A preoccupation with the exotic is revealed in his verse, particularly in The Golden J...

Florio, John

(Encyclopedia)Florio, John flôˈrēō [key], 1553?–1625, English author, b. London of Italian parentage. Educated at Oxford, Florio served in various capacities at the court of James I. He is chiefly remembered ...

Tabard Inn

(Encyclopedia)Tabard Inn tăbˈərd [key], in Southwark borough, Greater London, England. The inn, demolished in the 19th cent., was mentioned by Geoffrey Chaucer in the Prologue of the Canterbury Tales as the star...

Sokolova, Lydia

(Encyclopedia)Sokolova, Lydia sōkəlōˈvə [key], 1896–1974, English ballerina, b. Wanstead, as Hilda Munnings. Trained at Stedman's Academy in London, Sokolova joined the Diaghilev Ballets Russes in 1913 and b...

Abbate, Niccolò dell'

(Encyclopedia)Abbate or Abati, Niccolò dell' nēk-kōlōˈ dĕl-läbbäˈtā, –bäˈtē [key], 1512?–1571, Italian mannerist painter. From c.1552 he assisted Primaticcio in the decorations at Fontainebleau. He...

Boldini, Giovanni

(Encyclopedia)Boldini, Giovanni jōvänˈnē bōldēˈnē [key], 1842–1931, Italian portrait painter. Having worked in Florence and London, he reached his peak of creativity and success in Paris, painting romanti...

Boyce, William

(Encyclopedia)Boyce, William, c.1710–1779, English composer. After studying in London, he became a composer (1736) and later an organist (1758) of the Chapel Royal and Master of the King's Music in 1755. Although...

Nézet-Séguin, Yannick

(Encyclopedia)Nézet-Séguin, Yannick, 1975–, Canadian conductor and pianist. After studying piano at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, Montreal, and choral conducting at the Westminster Choir College, Pri...