Alderman
Alderman names 2 different subjects across the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. Each is set out below.
Alderman EDWIN ANDERSON, an American educator
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
EDWIN ANDERSON, an American educator, born in Wilmington, N. C., May 15, 1861; was graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1882; was superintendent of the Goldboro city schools in 1884-1887; Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1889-1892; Professor of English in the State Normal College in 1892; and Professor of Pedagogy in the University of North Carolina in 1892- 1896. In the last year he was chosen President of the University of North Carolina, and in April, 1900, was elected President of Tulane University in New Orleans. He was chosen President of the University of Virginia in 1904. His publications include "Life of William Cooper," a signer of the Declaration of Independence; "School History of North Carolina"; "The Growing South"; etc. ALDERNEY (French, Aurigny; Latin, Riduna), a British island in the English channel, 55 miles S. by E. of Portland Bill, 15 N. E. of Guernsey, 31 N. of Jersey, and 10 W. of Cape La Hague. length of the island is 4½ miles; its extreme breath, 1½ miles; and its area is 1,962 acres, or three square miles. The highest point is 281 feet above sealevel. To the S. the coast is bold and lofty; to the N. it descends, forming numerous small bays. The Caskets are a small cluster of langerous rocks, 6% miles to the W., on which are three lighthouses. The soil in the center of the island is highly productive; and the Alderney cattle, a small but handsome breed, have always been celebrated. The population was originally French, but half the inhabitants now speak English, and all understand it. Protestantism has prevailed here since the Reformation. Alderney is a dependency of Guernsey, and subject to the British crown. The civil power is vested in a judge appointed by the crown, and six jurats who are chosen by the people. These, with 12 popular representatives or douzeniers (who do not vote), constitute the local legislature. Pop. about 3,000.
Alderman a title pertaining to an office in the municipal
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a title pertaining to an office in the municipal corporations of Great Britain and the United States. In early Saxon times the term was indefinitely applied, and was generally given to a person possessed of an office of rank or dignity. In the court of the corporation of London the aldermen have legislative and judicial authority, and are elected for life. In the United States the powers and duties of aldermen differ in the various States and cities. As a rule they are elected by popular vote and constitute the source of municipal legislation.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Edwin Anderson Alderman was still in office when Collier's wrote this in 1921; he died on 29 April 1925, aboard a train while travelling to a speaking engagement, having served as president of the University of Virginia for twenty years. Virginia's main library was named for him in 1938 and reopened in 2023 after a full reconstruction. The office described in the second entry has largely vanished on both sides of the Atlantic: the Local Government Act 1972 abolished aldermen in England and Wales from 1974, leaving only honorary titles and the City of London, whose aldermen no longer sit for life but must periodically face re-election. In the United States most boards of aldermen have become city councils, and Chicago, the best-known holdout, voted in 2021 to call its aldermen "alderpersons".
Written for this edition, 2026.