Bertillon
ALPHONSE (ber-têyôn'), a French anthropologist, born in Paris in 1853; is widely noted as the founder of a system of identification of criminals. In 1880, while Chief of the Bureau of Identification in the Prefecture of Police, he established his system of measurements which has given results ALPHONSE BERTILLON marvelous for their precision. The system has since been adopted by the police authorities of the large cities of Europe and the United States. He was author of numerous works bearing upon his system, including "Identification anthropometrique" (1893).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bertrand
HENRI GRATIEN, COUNT, a French military officer, born in Châteauroux in 1773, and early entered the armies of the Revolution as engineer. He accompanied the expedition to Egypt, and directed the fortification of Alexandria. He distinguished himself at Austerlitz, and became Napoleon's adjutant; and, after the battle of Aspern, in 1809, for his share in saving the French army by bridges, he was created count and governor of Illyria. He retired with the Emperor to Elba, was his confidant in carrying out his return to France, and finally shared his banishment to St. Helena. On Napoleon's death, Bertrand returned to France, where he was restored to all his dignities, and, in 1830, appointed Commandant of the Polytechnic School. He died in Châteauroux, Jan. 31, 1844.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Berwick
a borough of Pennsylvania, in Columbia co. It is on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroad and on the Susquehanna river. The industries include iron works, silk manufactures, and manufactures of pipes, caskets, and pottery. Pop. (1910) 5,357; (1920) 12,181.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Berwick
or more fully, BER- WICK-ON-TWEED, a seaport town of England, formerly a Parliamentary borough, but now incorporated with Northumberland, and giving name to a Parliamentary division of the county. It stands on the N. or Scottish side of the Tweed. It is surrounded by walls of earth faced with stone, along which is an agreeable promenade. The Tweed is crossed by an old bridge of 15 arches and by a fine railway viaduct. The chief industries are iron fou founding, the manufacture of engines and boilers, agricultural implements, feeding cake, manures, ropes, twine, etc.; there is a small shipping trade. In the beginning of the 12th century, during the reign of Alexander I., Berwick was part of Scotland, and the capital of the district called Lothian. In 1216 the town and castle were stormed and taken by King John; Bruce retook them in 1318; but, after undergoing various sieges and vicissitudes, both were surrendered to Edward IV. in 1482, and have ever since remained in possession of England. Pop. about 15,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Berwick (II)
JAMES FITZJAMES, DUKE OF, born in 1670; was a natural son of James II., King of England, and Arabella Churchill, sister of the Duke of Marlborough. His first military service was under Charles, Duke of Lorraine, in Hungary, and he was present at the siege of Buda Buda, and the battle of Mohacz. He was created Duke of Berwick in 1687; accompanied James II. to France, at the Revolution, served under him in Ireland, and was at the battle of the Boyne. He became Lieutenant-General in the French army, was naturalized in France, afterward commanded in Spain, and by the victory of Almanza secured the throne to Philip V. He especially distinguished himself by the defense of Provence and Dauphiné, in 1709, against the superior forces of the Duke of Savoy. He was killed at the siege of Philipsburg, in 1734.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Berwyn
a city of Illinois, in Cook co. It is on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and the Illinois Central railroads. The city is entirely residential. Pop. (1910) 5,841; (1920) 14,150.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Beryllium
a rare white malleable metal, the same as glucinum. It occurs as a silicate in phenacite, also in the mineral beryl along with aluminum silicate.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Besant (ANNIE bes'ant an English)
ANNIE (bes'ant), an English theosophist and author, born in London, Oct. 1, 1847; was married in 1867 to the Rev. Frank Besant, brother of Sir Walter Besant, but was legally separated from him in 1873. She manifested an earnest interest in social and political topics, and, in 1874, became connected with the National Secular Society. Owing to the publication of "Fruits of Philosophy," Mrs. Besant was prosecuted, in connection with Charles Bradprosecution laugh (June, 1877), but the failed. In 1883 she announced her adhesion to Socialism. For three years she was a member of the School Board of London. She was prominently connected with various socialistic movements, and in 1889 joined the Theosophical Society, of which she became president in 1907. She visited the United States in 1891 and 1892-1893 and lectured on Madame Blavatsky and reincarnation, theosophy, and occultism. Among her numerous publications are "Reincarnation" (1892); "Autobiography" (1893); "Death and After" (1893); "Building of the Kosmos" (1894); "The Self and Its Sheaths" (1895); "Path of Discipleship" (1896); "Four Great Religions" (1897); "The Ancient Wisdom" (1897); "Three Paths to Union with God" (1897); etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Besant (SIR WALTER bes-ant' an English)
SIR WALTER (bes-ant'), an English novelist, born in Portsmouth, Aug. 14, 1836. After graduation at Cambridge, he went to Mauritius as professor in the Royal College, but returned to London, where he long was secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund. In 1871 he formed a literary partnership with James Rice, which continued until the death of the latter. Among their novels are "Ready Money Mortiboy" (London, 1871); "The Golden Butterfly" (1876); "The Seamy Side" (1881); and "The Chaplain of the Fleet" (1881). Alone he wrote "Studies in Early French Poetry" (1868); "The French Humorists" (1873); "All Sorts and Conditions of Men" (1882), "All in a Garden Fair" (1883); "Dorothy Foster" (1884); "Amorel of Lyonesse" (1890); "St. Katharine's by the Tower" (1891); "The Ivory Gate" (1892); "Beyond the Dreams of Avarice"; "The Master Craftsman"; "The Pen and the Book"; "The Alabaster Box" (1900); etc. He died June 9, 1901.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Besant, Sir Walter
Sir Walter (1836-1901), a British novelist and critic. He was born at Portsmouth. He received his degree at Cambridge. He went out to the island of Mauritius as a professor of mathematics, but returned later to London and entered upon a literary career. In a literary partnership with James Rice, a number of novels were produced, including The Seamy Side. After the death of Mr. Rice, Besant wrote on alone. All Sorts and Conditions of Men stirred men's minds and gave a powerful impetus to settlement work in East London and indirectly to work of the sort on this side of the Atlantic. In calling attention to the need of reform in existing social and industrial conditions, Besant in his day did a work not unlike that of Charles Dickens. In 1895 he was knighted by Queen Victoria. Other stories of Besant's well known in America are: All in a Garden Fair, The World Went Very Well Then, The Alabaster Box, Dorothy Foster, and Beyond the Dreams of Avarice. 2026 Editor's Note: Besant's most durable achievement was not a novel: in 1884 he founded the Society of Authors , which fought for writers' copyright and fair contracts against the publishers of the day and still represents British authors today. His novel of the East End also inspired a real institution, the People's Palace. (Ed: BR 2026-06-15)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia