Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) nihilism nīˈəlĭzəm [key], theory of revolution popular among Russian extremists until the fall of the czarist government (1917); the theory was given its name by Ivan Turgenev in his novel Father...

(Encyclopedia) Eisenstein, Sergei Mikhailovich syĭrgāˈ mēkhīˈləvĭch īˈzənshtīn [key], 1898–1948, Russian film director. An architect and engineer, he became interested in a theatrical career and worked...

(Encyclopedia) Carême, Marie Antoine märēˈ äNtwänˈ kärĕmˈ [key], 1784–1833, celebrated French cook and gastronomist. He was chef for Talleyrand, Czar Alexander I, George IV, and Baron Rothschild. His wri...

(Encyclopedia) Ystad üˈstäd [key], city (1990 pop. 15,670), Malmöhus co., S Sweden, a seaport on the Baltic Sea. It is a commercial and industrial center and a popular summer resort. Iron, steel, and dairy produ...

(Encyclopedia) aconite ăkˈənīt [key], monkshood, or wolfsbane, any of several species of the genus Aconitum of the family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family), hardy perennial plants of the north temperate zone, gro...

(Encyclopedia)  Rulers of France since 987(including dates of reign) The Capetians House of Valois House of Bourbon The First Republic The First Empire Bourbon Restoration House of Bourbon-Orléans T...

(Encyclopedia) Rulers of the Byzantine Empire ...

(Encyclopedia) Heliodorus hēˌlēōdôrˈəs [key], fl. 175 b.c., Syrian statesman. The treasurer of Seleucus IV (Seleucus Philopator), he murdered the king and attempted unsuccessfully to usurp the throne. Accordi...

(Encyclopedia) Riga rēˈgə [key], city (2011 provisional pop. 657,424), capital of Latvia, on the Daugava (Western Dvina) River near its entry into the Gulf of Riga. A major Baltic port, it is also a rail junction...

(Encyclopedia) William of Newburgh, 1136?–1198?, English chronicler, monk of Newburgh, Yorkshire. He wrote the Historia rerum Anglicarum, a history of England from 1066 to 1198. Its chief value lies in the comment...