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Tallinn

(Encyclopedia) TallinnTallinntäˈlĭn [key], Ger. Reval, city (1994 pop. 442,679), capital of Estonia, on the Gulf of Finland, opposite Helsinki. It is a major Baltic port, a rail and highway junction…

Czartoryski

(Encyclopedia) CzartoryskiCzartoryskichärtôrĭsˈkē [key], Polish princely family. Although of ancient lineage, it rose to prominence only in the 17th cent., and in the 18th cent. during the reign of…

Poison Affair

(Encyclopedia) Poison Affair, in French history, scandal implicating a number of prominent persons at the court of King Louis XIV. It began with the trial of Marie Madeleine d'Aubray, marquise de…

Morris

(Encyclopedia) Morris, family of prominent American landowners and statesmen. Richard Morris, d. 1672, left England after serving in Oliver Cromwell's army, became a merchant in Barbados, and…

Houellebecq, Michel

(Encyclopedia) Houellebecq, MichelHouellebecq, Michelmēshĕlˈ wĕlˈbĕk [key], b. 1958– or 1956–, French author, perhaps France's best-known contemporary novelist, b. Réunion as Michel Thomas. A…

Hunt, Leigh

(Encyclopedia) Hunt, Leigh (James Henry Leigh Hunt)Hunt, Leighlē [key], 1784–1859, English poet, critic, and journalist. He was a friend of the eminent literary men of his time, and his home was the…

Robert Guiscard

(Encyclopedia) Robert GuiscardRobert Guiscardgēskärˈ [key], c.1015–1085, Norman conqueror of S Italy, a son of Tancred de Hauteville (see Normans). Robert joined (c.1046) his brothers in S Italy and…

Witt, Jan de

(Encyclopedia) Witt, Jan deWitt, Jan deyän [key], 1625–72, Dutch statesman. Like his father, Jacob de Witt, burgomaster of Dort, he became a leading opponent of the house of Orange and played a vital…

Livonia, region and former Russian province

(Encyclopedia) LivoniaLivonialĭvōˈnēə [key], region and former Russian province, comprising present Estonia and parts of Latvia (Vidzeme and Latgale). It borders on the Baltic Sea and its arms, the…

Ali, Muhammad

(Encyclopedia) Ali, MuhammadAli, Muhammadməhămˈəd älēˈ [key], 1942–2016, American boxer, b. Louisville, Ky. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, he was a 1960 Olympic gold medalist. Shortly after upsetting…