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Buckle, Henry Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Buckle, Henry Thomas, 1821–62, English historian. Contemptuous of the historical writing of his day, with its intense concern with politics, wars, and heroes, Buckle undertook the ambitious plan of ...

Brackenridge, Hugh Henry

(Encyclopedia)Brackenridge, Hugh Henry, 1748–1816, American author and jurist, b. Scotland, grad. Princeton, 1771. He studied theology and served in the American Revolution as chaplain, but later turned to law. H...

Astor, William Backhouse, 1792–1875, American financier

(Encyclopedia)Astor, William Backhouse, 1792–1875, American financier, b. New York City; son of John Jacob Astor (1763–1848). Educated in Germany, he was associated with his father in business after 1818. Later...

Allingham, William

(Encyclopedia)Allingham, William, 1824–89, English poet, b. Donegal, Ireland. He is best known for his short lyrics, most notably “The Fairies,” beginning “Up the airy mountain, Down the rushy glen.” ...

Sheridan, Philip Henry

(Encyclopedia)Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831–88, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Albany, N.Y. Although not a brilliant general, Sheridan's flair for leadership and his ready fighting ability made him th...

Digby, Kenelm Henry

(Encyclopedia)Digby, Kenelm Henry, 1800–1880, English author, b. Ireland. He converted to Roman Catholicism after his graduation from Cambridge. His principal works are The Broadstone of Honour (1822; enl. ed., 4...

Claiborne, William

(Encyclopedia)Claiborne, William klāˈbərn [key], c.1587–c.1677, Virginia colonist, b. Westmorland co., England. He emigrated to Virginia in 1621 as official surveyor and then served as secretary of state (1626...

Goffe, William

(Encyclopedia)Goffe, William gôf [key], d. c.1679, English soldier and regicide. A personal adherent of Oliver Cromwell, he fought in the English civil war, signed the death warrant of Charles I, and became an adm...

Proxmire, William

(Encyclopedia)Proxmire, William (Edward William Proxmire), 1915–2005, U.S. senator (1957–89), b. Lake Forest, Ill. He worked in army counterintelligence during World War II and later entered politics, serving (...

Irvine, William

(Encyclopedia)Irvine, William ûrˈvĭn [key], 1741–1804, American soldier, b. Ireland. He studied medicine in Ireland and after 1764 practiced in Carlisle, Pa. He was called to service as colonel of a Pennsylvan...