Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Pownall, Thomas

(Encyclopedia)Pownall, Thomas pouˈnəl [key], 1722–1805, English colonial governor in North America. In 1753 he went to New York as secretary to Sir Danvers Osborn, newly appointed governor. Following Osborn's s...

Guzmán Blanco, Antonio

(Encyclopedia)Guzmán Blanco, Antonio äntōˈnyō go͞osmänˈ blänˈkō [key], 1829–99, president of Venezuela, a caudillo who dominated the nation from 1870 to 1888. Son of the founder of the Liberal party, G...

Jospin, Lionel Robert

(Encyclopedia)Jospin, Lionel Robert zhôspăNˈ [key], 1937–, French politician, premier of France (1997–2002). He studied at the elite École Nationale d'Administration (1961–65) and worked (1965–70) in th...

Piaget, Jean

(Encyclopedia)Piaget, Jean zhäNpyäˈjā [key], 1896–1980, Swiss psychologist, known for his research in developmental psychology. After receiving a degree in zoology from the Univ. of Neuchâtel (1918), Piaget'...

Merritt Island

(Encyclopedia)Merritt Island, c.40 mi (60 km) long and c.6 mi (10 km) wide, E Fla., separated from the mainland by Indian River (a lagoon) and from the Canaveral peninsula on the east by Banana River (a lagoon). It...

Festus, Porcius

(Encyclopedia)Festus, Porcius pôrˈshəs [key], fl a.d. 60, Roman procurator of Judaea (a.d. 60–a.d. 62). He succeeded Antonius Felix. He was just in his administration of the province. The Acts of the Apostles ...

public domain

(Encyclopedia)public domain, in law, legal availability for public use, free of charge, of materials, processes, devices, skills, and plans that are not protected by copyright or patent, including those on which co...

Bush, George Walker

(Encyclopedia)Bush, George Walker, 1946–, 43d President of the United States (2001–9), b. New Haven, Conn. The eldest son of President George H. W. Bush, he was was raised in Texas and, like his father, attende...

Landon, Alfred Mossman

(Encyclopedia)Landon, Alfred Mossman, 1887–1987, U.S. politician, b. West Middlesex, Pa. He was a banker and oil operator before he ran for public office. Landon served (1933–37) as governor of Kansas and gaine...

Mansour, Adly Mahmud

(Encyclopedia)Mansour, Adly Mahmud, 1945–, Egyptian judge and political leader. Educated in the law and public administration, he joined the state council in 1970, and was appointed to Egypt's supreme constitutio...