(Encyclopedia) corner, securing of all or nearly all the supply of any commodity or stock so that its buyers are forced to pay exorbitant prices. Corners may be planned deliberately or may be brought…
(Encyclopedia) Francis Borgia, SaintFrancis Borgia, Saintbôrˈjə [key], 1510–72, Spanish Roman Catholic reformer, third general of the Jesuits (see Jesus, Society of). He was a member of the famous…
(Encyclopedia) Hampden, JohnHampden, Johnhămpˈdən, hămˈ– [key], 1594–1643, English parliamentary leader; cousin of Oliver Cromwell. He entered Parliament in 1621, became closely associated with Sir…
(Encyclopedia) kidnapping, in law, the taking away of a person by force, threat, or deceit, with intent to cause him to be detained against his will. Kidnapping may be done for ransom or for…
(Encyclopedia) Sixtus V, 1521–90, pope (1585–90), an Italian (b. near Montalto) named Felice Peretti; successor of Gregory XIII. He entered the Franciscan order in early youth. After ordination (1547…
(Encyclopedia) Wolf, Markus JohannesWolf, Markus Johannesmärˈk&oobreve;s yōhänˈəs [key]Wolf, Markus Johannes vôlf [key], 1923–2006, East German spymaster. A legendary cold-war espionage chief, he…
(Encyclopedia) zaibatsuzaibatsuzīˈbäts&oomacr; [key] [Jap.,=money clique], the great family-controlled banking and industrial combines of modern Japan. The leading zaibatsu (called keiretsu after…
(Encyclopedia) Walker, Robert John, 1801–69, American public official, b. Northumberland, Pa. A lawyer, he practiced for a time in Pittsburgh. In 1826 he moved to Natchez, Miss. As a Democratic…
(Encyclopedia) Richter, HansRichter, Hanshäns [key]Richter, Hans rĭkhˈtər [key], 1888–1976, American artist, b. Germany. A painter and filmmaker, Richter was influenced by cubism and Dada and was a…
(Encyclopedia) Randolph, Edmund, 1753–1813, American statesman, b. Williamsburg, Va.; nephew of Peyton Randolph. He studied law under his father, John Randolph, a Loyalist who went to England at the…
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