Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) Zeisberger, David zīsˈbərgər [key], 1721–1808, American Moravian missionary, b. Moravia. While a youth, he lived in Holland and later in London, where he met Graf von Zinzendorf, who enabled him...

(Encyclopedia) Stuyvesant, Peter stīˈvəsənt [key], c.1610–1672, Dutch director-general of New Netherland. He served as governor of Curaçao and lost a leg in an expedition against St. Martin before succeeding ...

(Encyclopedia) weed, common term for any wild plant, particularly an undesired plant, growing in cultivated ground, where it competes with crop plants for soil nutrients and water. In their natural habitat, wildflow...

(Encyclopedia) Vaughan, Henry vôn [key], 1622–95, one of the English metaphysical poets. Born in Breconshire, Wales, he signed himself Silurist, after the ancient inhabitants of that region. After leaving Oxford,...

(Encyclopedia) Peary Land, peninsula, N Greenland, extending into the Arctic Ocean. It terminates in Cape Bridgman in the northeast and Cape Morris Jesup in the north, the most northerly point of land yet discovered...

(Encyclopedia) New Albany, city (1990 pop. 36,322), seat of Floyd co., S Ind., near the falls of the Ohio River opposite Louisville, Ky.; inc. 1819. The city was a shipbuilding center in the 19th cent., and the rive...

(Encyclopedia) Owosso ōwŏsˈō [key], city (1990 pop. 16,322), Shiawassee co., S Mich., on the Shiawassee River; inc. 1859. Chief products include auto parts, corrugated containers, and boats. Livestock is also ra...

(Encyclopedia) Massachusetts, University of, main campus at Amherst; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1863, opened 1867 as Massachusetts Agricultural College. It was called Massachusetts Stat...

(Encyclopedia) Drinkwater, John, 1882–1937, English author. A founder of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, he was associated with it as actor, director, and general manager for many years. He is best known for his...

(Encyclopedia) Dusek, Jan Ladislav yän läˈdēsläf do͞oˈshĕk [key], 1760–1812, Czech pianist and composer; pupil of C. P. E. Bach. One of the earliest piano virtuosi, he was famous for his lyrical touch in s...