Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Retz, Gilles de Laval, seigneur de

(Encyclopedia)Retz or Rais, Gilles de Laval, seigneur de zhēl də lävälˈ sānyörˈ də rĕts, rĕs [key], 1404–40, marshal of France, a lord of the Breton marches. A noted soldier, he was at Orléans with Jo...

Nicolet, Jean

(Encyclopedia)Nicolet, Jean zhäN nēkôlāˈ [key], 1598?–1642, French explorer in the Old Northwest. He came to New France with Samuel de Champlain in 1618. In 1634, under the direction of Champlain, he took a ...

Gabin, Jean

(Encyclopedia)Gabin, Jean zhäN gäbăNˈ [key], 1904–76, French film actor, b. Paris; his original name was Alexis Moncourge. Gabin's work as a cabaret entertainer led to a career in films. He was one of France'...

Antoine, André

(Encyclopedia)Antoine, André äNdrāˈ äNtwänˈ [key], 1858–1943, French theatrical director, manager, and critic. In opposition to the teachings of the Paris Conservatory, he formed (1887) his own company, th...

Beaufort, François de Vendôme, duc de

(Encyclopedia)Beaufort, François de Vendôme, duc de fräNswäˈ də väNdōmˈ dük də bōfôrˈ [key], 1616–69, French courtier and politician; grandson of King Henry IV of France and his mistress Gabrielle d...

Villeroi, François de Neufville, duc de

(Encyclopedia)Villeroi, François de Neufville, duc de fräNswäˈ də növēlˈ dük də vēlrwäˈ [key], 1644–1730, marshal of France and favorite of King Louis XIV. In the War of the Grand Alliance, he succee...

Sarraut, Albert Pierre

(Encyclopedia)Sarraut, Albert Pierre älbĕrˈ pyĕr särōˈ [key], 1872–1962, French leader, a Radical Socialist. A member of the chamber of deputies from 1902, he was governor-general (1911–14, 1916–19) of...

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

(Encyclopedia)Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile ärk də trēôNfˈ də lātwälˈ [key], imposing triumphal arch in Paris standing on an elevation at the end of the Avenue des Champs Élysées and in the center of the ...

Cardin, Pierre

(Encyclopedia)Cardin, Pierre pyĕr kärdăNˈ [key], 1922–2020, French fashion designer, b. Italy. He spent most of his early years working in Paris for such firms as Schiaparelli and Dior and designed the costum...

Browse by Subject