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Paterson, David Alexander

(Encyclopedia) Paterson, David Alexander, 1954–, American politician, the first African-American governor of New York (2008–11), b. Brooklyn, N.Y., grad. Columbia (B.A., 1977), Hofstra Law School (J.…

Gordy, Berry, Jr.

(Encyclopedia) Gordy, Berry, Jr., 1929–, African-American music-industry executive, b. Detroit. After stints in the army and as a professional boxer,…

Smithsonian Institution

(Encyclopedia) Smithsonian Institution, research and education center, mainly at Washington, D.C.; founded 1846 under the terms of the will of James Smithson of London, who in 1829 bequeathed his…

John Henry

(Encyclopedia) John Henry, legendary African American famous for his strength, celebrated in ballads and tales. In the most popular version of the story, John Henry tries to outwork a steam drill…

Bradley, Tom

(Encyclopedia) Bradley, Tom (Thomas Bradley), 1917–98, African-American politician, b. Calvert, Tex. A sharecropper's son who became (1940) a Los Angeles police officer, he earned (1956) a law degree…

Tanner, Henry Ossawa

(Encyclopedia) Tanner, Henry Ossawa, 1859–1937, American painter, b. Pittsburgh; son of a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He studied with Eakins in Philadelphia and in Paris. Tanner…

Clyburn, Jim

(Encyclopedia) Clyburn, Jim (James Enos Clyburn), 1940- , African-American politician, b. Sumter, S.C., S.C. State College (B.A.). Clyburn’s father…

Dirksen, Everett McKinley

(Encyclopedia) Dirksen, Everett McKinleyDirksen, Everett McKinleydûrkˈsən [key], 1896–1969, American politician, b. Pekin, Ill. A veteran of World War I, he held minor offices in Pekin before serving…

Lee, Richard Henry

(Encyclopedia) Lee, Richard Henry, 1732–94, political leader in the American Revolution, b. Westmoreland co., Va.; brother of Arthur Lee, Francis L. Lee, and William Lee. He served in the house of…

Brutus, Dennis Vincent

(Encyclopedia) Brutus, Dennis Vincent, 1924–2009, South African poet, b. Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). Brutus grew up in South Africa and received (1947) his B.A. from the Univ. of Fort…