Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Audubon, John James

(Encyclopedia)Audubon, John James ôˈdəbŏn [key], 1785–1851, American ornithologist, b. Les Cayes, Santo Domingo (now Haiti). The illegitimate son of a French sea captain and plantation owner and a Creole cham...

Desmond, Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th earl of

(Encyclopedia)Desmond, Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th earl of dĕzˈmənd [key], d. 1583, Irish nobleman. He spent his life fighting Thomas Butler, 10th earl of Ormonde, who represented English interests. He was twice imp...

Breslin, Jimmy

(Encyclopedia)Breslin, Jimmy (James Earl Breslin), 1928–2017, American journalist, b. Queens, N.Y. A reporter, columnist, and author, he was a tough and witty voice for working-class New Yorkers. He began as a ne...

Coningham, Sir Arthur

(Encyclopedia)Coningham, Sir Arthur kŭnˈĭng-əm [key], 1895–1948, British air marshal, b. Australia. During World War I, he served first in the New Zealand army and then joined (1916) the Royal Flying Corps, a...

Beaufort, Henry

(Encyclopedia)Beaufort, Henry bōˈfərt [key], 1377?–1447, English prelate and statesman. The son of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster, and his mistress (later wife) Catherine Swynford, he was half-brother to Hen...

Worcester, John Tiptoft, earl of

(Encyclopedia)Worcester, John Tiptoft, earl of wo͝osˈtər [key] 1427?–1470, English nobleman. He studied at Oxford and was created earl of Worcester in 1449. He served as treasurer of the exchequer (1452–55) ...

Stuart, Alexander, earl of Buchan

(Encyclopedia)Stuart or Stewart, Alexander, earl of Buchan bŭkhˈan, bŭkˈ– [key], 1343?–1405?, Scottish nobleman; fourth son of Robert II. He held various offices under the crown and was made lord of Badenoc...
 

Browse by Subject