Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) self-fulfilling prophecy, a concept developed by Robert K. Merton to explain how a belief or expectation, whether correct or not, affects the outcome of a situation or the way a person (or group) will...

(Encyclopedia) Frederick Louis, 1707–51, prince of Wales, eldest son of George II of England. By his wife, Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, he had several children, the eldest of whom became George III. He quarrele...

(Encyclopedia) Liddell, Henry George lĭdˈəl [key], 1811–98, English classical scholar. He was headmaster (1846–55) of Westminster School and dean (1855–91) of Christ Church, Oxford. Liddell is famous for hi...

(Encyclopedia) Lillie, Beatrice (Lady Peel), 1898–1989, British comedienne, b. Toronto, Ont. as Constance Munston. Lillie first performed in London in 1914 and in New York in 1924. She won an international reputat...

(Encyclopedia) Nasmyth, Alexander nāˈsmĭth [key], 1758–1840, Scottish landscape and portrait painter. His Stirling Castle (National Gall., London) is a good example of his simple, picturesque Scottish scenes. H...

(Encyclopedia) Munday, Anthony, 1553–1633, English author, b. London. After spending his early years as an actor, he turned to writing. His literary output includes a number of plays (many written in collaboration...

(Encyclopedia) Orr, Bobby (Robert Orr), 1948–, Canadian hockey player. He began skating at the age of 4 and was discovered by the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League at age 12. He began playing with the Br...

(Encyclopedia) atomism, philosophic concept of the nature of the universe, holding that the universe is composed of invisible, indestructible material particles. The theory was first advanced in the 5th cent. b.c. b...

(Encyclopedia) Bridgwater, town, Somerset, SW England, on the Parrett River estuary. It is a port for seaborne traffic and a market town. Bridgwater is the only place ...

(Encyclopedia) Colonial Heights, city (2020 pop. 18,170), in, but independent of, Chesterfield co., SE Va.; inc. as a city 1948. Chemicals, metal products, and whiskey...