Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Drouais, François-Hubert

(Encyclopedia)Drouais, François-Hubert fräNswäˈ-übârˈ dro͞oāˈ [key], 1727–75, French painter, a follower of François Boucher, whose style he imitated. Under the patronage of the court he painted portra...

Lofting, Hugh

(Encyclopedia)Lofting, Hugh, 1886–1947, American writer of juvenile stories, b. Maidenhead, England. He settled in the United States in 1912. His famous “Dr. Dolittle” stories, which concern an extraordinary ...

Busch, Wilhelm

(Encyclopedia)Busch, Wilhelm, 1832–1908, German cartoonist, painter, and poet. After studying at the academies of Antwerp, Düsseldorf, and Munich, he joined the staff of the Fliegende Blätter, to which he contr...

meningitis

(Encyclopedia)meningitis sĕrˌəbrōspīˈnəl [key], acute inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other orga...

Girard College

(Encyclopedia)Girard College, in Philadelphia, an elementary and secondary boarding school for children with financial need from single-parent or parentless families. It opened 1848 with a bequest, now grown to a h...

Rudolph, Wilma Glodean

(Encyclopedia)Rudolph, Wilma Glodean, 1940–94, American track and field athlete, b. Clarksville, Tenn. The 20th of 22 children, she overcame childhood polio to become one of the premiere athletes of her time. She...

Cox, Louise Howland King

(Encyclopedia)Cox, Louise Howland King, 1865–1945, American painter, b. San Francisco. She studied at the National Academy of Design and at the Art Students League, New York, under Kenyon Cox. whom she married in...

Aakjaer, Jeppe

(Encyclopedia)Aakjaer, Jeppe yĕpˈə ôkˈyâr [key], 1866–1930, Danish poet and novelist. He wrote mostly of his native Jutland, and his concern for the poor is reflected in such novels as The Peasant's Son (18...

Better Business Bureaus

(Encyclopedia)Better Business Bureaus (BBBs), agencies devoted to promoting ethical practices on the part of business through voluntary self-regulation. BBBs are supported by businesses in communities throughout th...

Lions International

(Encyclopedia)Lions International, organization of business and professional people, founded (1917) by Melvin Jones. The International Association of Lions Clubs (popularly known as Lions International) is devoted ...