Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Gibbs, Sir Philip

(Encyclopedia)Gibbs, Sir Philip, 1877–1962, English journalist and author. As a result of his distinguished service in World War I as a front-line correspondent for the Daily Chronicle (London) he was knighted in...

Phelps, Michael Fred

(Encyclopedia)Phelps, Michael Fred, 1985–, American swimmer, b. Baltimore. One of the world's greatest competitive swimmers, Phelps became (2001) the youngest world record holder (in the 200-m butterfly) at 15 an...

Pratt, Edwin John

(Encyclopedia)Pratt, Edwin John, 1883–1964, Canadian poet, b. Newfoundland. He broke away from the old romantic tradition of Canadian poetry to write imaginative narratives of epic events. Among these are Titans ...

Philochorus

(Encyclopedia)Philochorus fĭlŏkˈōrəs [key], fl. 3d cent. b.c., Greek historian. He wrote extensively on Greek religious customs. Philochorus is probably the best known of the many chroniclers of events in Athe...

Cithaeron

(Encyclopedia)Cithaeron sĭthēˈrən [key], Gr. Kithairón, mountain range, c.10 mi (16 km) long, central Greece, between Boeotia in the north and Attica in the south. It rises to 4,623 ft (1,409 m). The range was...

James I, king of England

(Encyclopedia)James I, 1566–1625, king of England (1603–25) and, as James VI, of Scotland (1567–1625). James's reign witnessed the beginnings of English colonization in North America (Jamestown was founded in...

Tiw

(Encyclopedia)Tiw tür [key], ancient Germanic god. Originally a highly revered sky god, he was later worshiped as a god of war and of athletic events. He was identified with the Roman war god Mars, and among Germa...

Bedford, John of Lancaster, duke of

(Encyclopedia)Bedford, John of Lancaster, duke of, 1389–1435, English nobleman; third son of Henry IV of England and brother of Henry V. At the death (1422) of his brother and succession of his 9-month-old nephew...

York, Edmund of Langley, duke of

(Encyclopedia)York, Edmund of Langley, duke of, 1341–1402, fifth son of Edward III of England. He was made (1362) earl of Cambridge, served on expeditions to Spain and France, and married (1372) Isabel, daughter ...

rowing

(Encyclopedia)rowing, the art of propelling a boat by means of oars operated by hand. Boats propelled by oars (e.g., the galley) were used in ancient times for both war and commerce. Rowing is now generally used on...

Browse by Subject