These 9 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Doubleday, Doublet, Doubling the Cube.
ABNER, an American military officer; born in Ballston Spa, N. Y., June 26, 1819. He was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1842, rising to the rank of colonel in 1870 (brevet lieutenant-colonel in 1865). He was second in command at Fort Sumter in 1861, firing the first gun in its defense, and he greatly distinguished himself at Gettysburg. He died at Mendham, N. J., Jan. 26, 1893.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
dub'let, a form of outer garment worn by men during the latter part of the fifteenth century. Originally the doublet had long skirts and was held in place by a belt. Later it was of shorter cut, was fitted with great nicety, and padded, if necessary, to the correct shape. After the time of Charles I, in England the doublet was made without sleeves, and a coat was worn over it. It is supposed that the present fashion of the waistcoat or vest was developed from the doublet.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
a celebrated mathematical problem. According to a Grecian legend, the problem originated in the following manner: The people of Delos were afflicted by a pestilence due to the darts of Apollo. On consulting the oracle of the god, they were directed to double the size of his altar, which happened to be a perfect cube. This they did, but the pestilence continued. Upon consulting the oracle again they were told that they must double the size of this altar without changing its shape. Hence the problem of finding a cube which shall have just twice the volume of a given cube is called the Delian problem. The difficulty of the problem lies in the fact that no number obtained by doubling a cube is itself a perfect cube. The perfect cubes are: 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000, 1331, 1728 etc. Their doubles are 2, 16, 54, 128, 250, 432, 686, 1024, 1458, 2000, 2662, 3456, etc. We see readily that none of the doubles are perfect cubes. In order to produce a cube by multiplying a cube the multiplier must also be a cube. The multiplier 2 is not a cube; hence the impossibility of the problem.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
a department of France, having Switzerland on its E. frontier. Its surface is traversed by four chains of the Jura. The land is arable, but much the greater part is covered with forests. Maize, potatoes, hemp, flax, are the principal crops. Much dairy produce is made into Gruyère cheese. The minerals include iron, lead, and marble. Pop. about 290,000. The river Doubs rises in the department to which it gives its name, flows first N. E., then N. W., till it joins the Saône at Verdun-sur-Saône; length, 250 miles.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress , the castle where Christian and Hopeful are imprisoned by Giant Despair . They escaped by means of the key called Promise. It is frequently said of one who is in a state of irresolution and apprehension, from which hopeful determination would free him, that he is in Doubting Castle. See Bunyan ; Pilgrim'S Progress
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
DENNIS J., an American Roman Catholic prelate. He was educated at St. Charles Seminary, Overbrook, Pa., and in 1903 was appointed first American bishop of Neuva Segovia, Philippine Islands. He became bishop of Jaro, P. I., in 1908. He rendered remarkable service in the Philippines among the native troops. He remained there until 1915, when he was appointed bishop of Buffalo, and in July, 1918, was appointed archbishop of the See of Philadelphia and the Province of Philadelphia. He was one of the most conspicuous of Roman Catholic Church men, and in March, 1921, was appointed cardinal by Pope Benedict.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a city of Arizona, in Cochise co. It is on the El Paso and Southwestern railroad, and the terminus of the Nacozari railroad of Mexico. There are large copper smelters, and gypsum, cement, and plaster works. Pop. (1910) 6,437; (1920) 9,916.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
STEPHEN ARNOLD, an American politician; born in Brandon, Vt., April 23, 1813. In 1834 he began the practice of law at Jacksonville, Ill.; was elected attorney-general of the State in the same year, member of the Legislature in 1835, Secretary of State in 1840, and Judge of the Supreme Court in 1841. He was elected to Congress in STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS 1843, 1844, and 1846, and to the United States Senate in 1847, 1852, and 1858. In the Lower House he advocated the annexation of Texas and of Oregon up to 54° 40′ N. lat., and favored the war with Mexico, and in the Senate he opposed the ratification of the Clayton- Bulwer Treaty, and declared himself in favor of the acquisition of Cuba. On the question of slavery he maintained that the people of each territory should decide whether it should be a free State or a slave State. In 1860 he received the regular Democratic nomination for the presidency, the seceding delegates nominating John C. Breckinridge. Douglas obtained 12 electoral and 1,375,157 popular votes, as against 180 electoral and 1,866,352 popular votes cast for Lincoln, to whom, in the early days of the Civil War, he gave an unfaltering support. He died June 3, 1861, in Chicago.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) FREDERICK, an American lecturer and journalist; the son of a negro slave; born in Tuckahoe, Md., in February, 1817. Though his father was a white man, he was, according to the law, reared as a slave. In 1832 he was purchased by a Baltimore ship-builder, but made his escape in 1838. As he had taught himself to read and write, and showed talent as an orator, he was employed by the Anti-slavery Society as one of their lecturers. In 1845 he published his autobiography, and afterward made a successful lecturing tour in England. In 1870 he started a journal entitled "The New National Era"; in 1871 he was appointed secretary of the commission to Santo Domingo; in 1872, presidential elector; and in 1877 marshal for the District of Columbia. He was commissioner of deeds for that district, 1881- 1886; and United States Minister to Haiti in 1890. He died in Washington, D. C., Feb. 20, 1895.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia