Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

330 results found

Stamitz, Johann

(Encyclopedia)Stamitz, Johann yōˈhän shtäˈmĭts [key], 1717–57, Bohemian-German composer. Stamitz came to Mannheim (1741) and became (1745) concertmaster of the Mannheim orchestra. He made it the best in Eur...

Wessel, Johann

(Encyclopedia)Wessel, Johann yōˈhän vĕsˈəl [key], c.1420–1489, Dutch theologian and precursor of the Protestant Reformation, also known as Wessel Harmenss Gansfort or Goesevoyrd. He was one of the Brethren ...

Ersch, Johann Samuel

(Encyclopedia)Ersch, Johann Samuel yōˈhän zäˈmo͞oĕl ĕrsh [key], 1766–1828, German encyclopedist, first editor of the great encyclopedia known as Ersch and Gruber's. At his death, 17 volumes had been compl...

Kalb, Johann

(Encyclopedia)Kalb, Johann Ger. yōˈhän kälp [key], 1721–80, American general in the Revolution, known generally as Baron de Kalb, b. Hüttendorf, Germany. He assumed his title for military reasons and as Jean...

Günther, Johann Christian

(Encyclopedia)Günther, Johann Christian günˈtər [key], 1695–1723, German lyric poet. The young Goethe was inspired by the naturalness and vigor of Günther's verse. Among his remembered poems is the drinking...

Wyss, Johann David

(Encyclopedia)Wyss, Johann David yōˈhän däˈvĭt vēs [key], 1743–1818, Swiss author. His Swiss Family Robinson (1813, tr. 1814), an internationally popular classic for children, relates the adventures of a s...

Conrad von Hötzendorf, Franz, Graf

(Encyclopedia)Conrad von Hötzendorf, Franz, Graf fränts gräf kônˈrät fən höˈtsəndôrf [key], 1852–1925, Austro-Hungarian field marshal. He served (1906–11, 1912–17) as chief of staff and led the Aus...

Browse by Subject