Wesleyan University
a coeducational institution in Middletown, Conn. In 1830 the original buildings, North College and South College, which had been erected for a military academy, came into the possession of the New York and New England Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in 1831 a charter was obtained, and the university opened its doors and offered its services to aid in the training of students, so they need not be forced to seek higher education outside their Church. From 1872 to 1908 the institution was opened to women, but those entering in 1908 were allowed to graduate. It has a fine observatory, well-appointed laboratories and cabinets, and a large modern gymnasium. It reported at the close of 1919: Professors and instructors, 53; students, 595; volumes in the library, 114,000; president, William Arnold Shanklin, L. H. D., LL. D.
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Wessex
one of the most important of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England during the 6th, 7th, and 8th centuries, and the early part of the 9th, and that in which the other kingdoms were ultimately merged in the reign of Egbert in 827. It included the present counties of Devon, Dorset, Somerset, set, Wilts, Hants, Berks, and a part of Cornwall. American
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West Allis
a city of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee co. It is on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern railroads. It is an industrial suburb of Milwaukee, and has an automobile factory, and manufactories of machinery, wheelbarrows, trucks, sashes, doors, blinds and other manufactures. Pop. (1910) 6,645; (1920) 13,745.
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West Bromwich
a parliamentary, municipal and county borough of Staffordshire, England; one of the most important towns in the great manufacturing and mining district known as the "Black Country," 5½ miles N. W. of Birmingham. m. The seat in the 12th century of a Benedictine priory, it yet is of modern growth, having risen within the last 100 years from a mere village on a barren heath, in consequence mainly of the rich coal and iron mines in the vicinity, of the industries to which these give rise, and of the transport facilities by rail and canal. The manufactures comprise all departments of Birmingham hardware. Puddling and sheet-iron rolling, sheet-glass making, coal mining, and brick and tile making are also carried on to a great extent. Pop. about 70,000.
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West Chester
a borough and county-seat of Chester co., Pa.; near the Brandywine river, and on the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore, and the Pennsylvania railroads; 27 miles W. of Philadelphia. Here are a court house, State Normal School, Darlington Female Seminary, Villa Marie Convent, county hospital, public library, waterworks, street railroads, electric lights, National and private banks, and several daily and weekly newspapers. The borough has a print establishment, cold-storage works, creamery, and manufactures wheels, carriages, hosiery, toys, artificial ice, umbrellas, etc. Pop. (1910) 11,767; (1920) 11,717.
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West Hoboken
a town in Hudson co., N. J.; opposite New York City and 2 miles W. of Hoboken. It adjoins the N. W. part of Hoboken and is built on ground. Here are St. Michael's elevated gro Monastery, a Dominican Convent, public and par parochial schools, a public park, street railroads, electric lights, trust and savings banks, and weekly newspapers. It has manufactures of penholders, brushes, silk goods, etc. Pop. (1910) 35,403; (1920) 40,074.
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West New York
a town of New Jersey, in Hudson co. It is on the Hudson very, , river and is connected with New York City by ferry at 42d st. Its industries include the manufacture of silk, rubber goods, cottonseed oil, textiles, sugar, and powder. Pop. (1910) 13,560; (1920) 29,926.
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West Orange
a town of New Jersey, in Essex co., on the Erie railroad. It is beautifully situated at the base of Orange Mountains, is an important manufacturing center, and conof the Edison Comtains the laboratories pany. There are two public ic parks and many handsome residences. Pop. (1910) 10,980; (1920) 15,573.
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West Palm Beach
a part of the city of Palm Beach, Fla. Pop. (1910) 1,743; (1920) 8,659.
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West Park
a city of Ohio, in Cuyahoga co., on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis railroads. It is a residential suburb of Cleveland. Pop. (1910) 3,179; (1920) 8,581.
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West Springfield
a town which includes several villages, in Massachusetts, in Hampden co., on the Connecticut river and on the Boston and Albany railroad. It is the center of an important farming and market gardening region, and has manufactures of paper and cigars. There are many interesting old houses, a high school building, and a public library. Pop. (1910) 9,225; (1920) 13,443.
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West Tampa
a city of Florida, in Hillsboro co., adjoining Tampa. It is one of the most important cigar manufacturing centers of the United States. Pop. (1910) 8,258; (1920) 8,463.
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West Virginia University
a coeducational non-sectarian institution in Morgantown, W. Va.; founded in 1867; reported at the close of 1919: Professors and instructors, 123; students, 1,609. President F. B. Trotter, LL. D.
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West, Benjamin
Benjamin (1738-1820), a noted American painter. He was a Quaker boy of Pennsylvania. He was instructed by a Philadephia artist and set up a studio for himself in that city. He went to London in 1763. He visited the famous galleries of Rome, Florence, and Venice. George III gave him orders for a number of pictures and in 1772 employed him as historical painter to the king. In 1790 West was appointed surveyor of the royal gallery. West's most celebrated painting is the Death of General Wolfe. In this great scene he had the courage to depart from long established custom. He dressed his figures in their usual clothing, instead of draping them with classical robes as had been the rule for centuries. The picture made a great hit. An engraving by a celebrated artist by the name of Woollett had a large sale also, the greatest hitherto known. West painted a series of historical pictures for Windsor Castle and a second series of religious subjects for King George's Chapel there. He took a prominent part in the organization of the Royal Academy. He and Sir Joshua Reynolds were fast friends. On the death of Reynolds in 1792 West was made president. West's remains were placed in St. Paul's.
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