Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) Gaddis, William, 1922–98, American novelist, b. New York City. An erudite master of satire and black comedy, he was both praised and criticized for his avant-garde techniques—repetitions, multiple...

(Encyclopedia) Courtenay, William kôrtˈnē [key], c.1342–1396, English prelate, archbishop of Canterbury (1381–96). He was important for his condemnation of the doctrines of Wyclif and for suppressing the Loll...

(Encyclopedia) Lauder, Sir Harry lôˈdər [key], 1870–1950, Scottish baritone. His original name was MacLennan. Lauder was popular for his singing of ballads and comic songs, many of his own composition. During W...

(Encyclopedia) Ayton or Aytoun, Sir Robert both: āˈtən [key], 1570–1638, English poet and courtier. He was private secretary to the queens of James I and Charles I, besides holding other posts of honor. He wrot...

(Encyclopedia) Stainer, Sir John stāˈnər [key], 1840–1901, English composer and organist, grad. Oxford. He was organist and choirmaster at St. Paul's Cathedral (1872–88), and he wrote music for the church ser...

(Encyclopedia) Frederick William I, 1688–1740, king of Prussia (1713–40), son and successor of Frederick I. He continued the administrative reforms and the process of centralization begun by Frederick William, t...

(Encyclopedia) Bulwer, William Henry Lytton Earle, Baron Dalling and Bulwer bo͝olˈwər; lĭtˈən [key], 1801–72, English diplomat and author; brother of the novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton. He was known most of h...

(Encyclopedia) Westmacott, Sir Richard wĕstˈməkŏt [key], 1775–1856, English sculptor. He worked in the studio of his father, also a sculptor, and in Italy under Canova. His work includes statues in the neoclas...

(Encyclopedia) Gollancz, Sir Hermann gŏlˈənts [key], 1852–1930, English rabbi and authority on Hebrew language and literature. He was professor of Hebrew (1902–24) at University College, London. In 1902 he ed...

(Encyclopedia) Windham, William wĭnˈdəm [key], 1750–1810, British politician. Elected to Parliament in 1784, he was a friend of Edmund Burke, whom he assisted in the impeachment of Warren Hastings. He served (1...