William of Wykeham
an English statesman; born in Wykeham, Hampshire, England, in 1324. He received a liberal education from the lord of the manor of Wykeham, and was afterward recommended by him to the notice of Edward III. Having taken holy orders he was elevated to the rich see of Winchester, and in 1367 appointed to the chancellorship of England. He founded (1373) a grammar school at Winchester, which still exists; and about the same time founded a college at Oxford, now. called New College. In the last years of his life he rebuilt Winchester Cathedral. He died in 1404.
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William Rufus
Son of William the Conqueror, and tyrant of England in the eleventh century; a wicked and cruel prince. He was much disliked, particularly by the priests and monks, whom he reduced to the extremest poverty. One day when he was out hunting (in the year 1100, the forty-fourth year of his life, the thirtieth of his reign) he was killed by an arrow launched by an invisible hand. While he was drawing his last breath the comte de Comonailles, who had been separated from the hunt, saw a shaggy black goat carrying off a mangled human form, pierced by an arrow. The comte cried aloud to the goat to halt, and asked who he was, and where he was going. The goat responded that he was the devil, and was carrying off William Rufus, to present him before the great tribunal, where he would be condemned for his tyranny and forced to accompany him (the devil) to his abode.
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Williams College
an educational non-sectarian institution in Williamstown, Mass.; founded in 1793; reported at the close of 1919: Professors and instructors, 47; students, 480; president, Henry A. Garfield, LL. D.
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Williams, Charles
An English medium who began to practice about 1870. In 1871 he went into partnership with the medium Herne. During the earlier years of their mediumship Mrs. Guppy, herself a well-known medium, was their patroness. The phenomena then produced were not of a very ambitous character, but consisted of lights, apports, movements of the furniture without contact, spirit voices, and the appearance of fiery letters in the air. One of the most curious feats of these early séances was the transit of Mrs. Guppy. (See Levitation .) afterwards materialisation was attempted by Messrs. Herne and Williams, in emulation of the feats of Miss Florence Cook, who had been a sitter at their early séances. In 1878 Williams's was the mediumship chosen for investigation Soon by the Research Committee of the British National Association of Spiritualists (q.v.). Notwithstanding the favourable report of the Committee, Williams's mediumship was not destined to last much longer. In company with a new partner, Rita , he had gone to Amsterdam, and there were found in their possession false beards, spirit draperies, and phosphorised oil. The exposure was entirely carried out and given to the public by indignant spiritualists.
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Williamson
CHARLES NORRIS, a British journalist and author, born in Exeter, England, in 1859. He was educated at the University College, London, and, after studying science and engineering for some years, he joined the staff of the "Examiner," in 1881. Later he was a member of the editorial staff of the "Graphic." In 1891 he founded "Black and White." He wrote "Life of Thomas Carlyle" (2 vols., 1881), and many articles on travel, automobiling, and other topics. He is particularly well known, however, for the many stories written in collaboration with his wife, ALICE MURIEL (LIVINGSTON) WILLIAM- SON. The latter was born at Livingston Manor House, N. Y. Their joint publications include " The Lightning Conductor "; " The Princess Passes "; " My shed Friend the Chauffeur "; " Lady Betty Across the Water"; "The Car of Des- (1835); "Inklings tiny"; "Rosemary in Search of a Father"; "The Motor Chaperon"; "Scarlet Runner"; "Set in Silver"; "The Motor Maid"; "Lord Loveland Discovers America"; "The Golden Silence"; "The Princess Virginia"; "The Guests of Hercules"; "The Heather Moon"; "The Demon"; "The Love Pirate"; "It Happened in Egypt"; "Secret History"; "The Shop Girl"; "The Lightning Conductress"; "The War Wedding"; "Crucifix Corner."
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Williamsport
a city and countyseat of Lycoming co., Pa.; on the Susquehanna river, and on the Philadelphia and Reading, the the New York Central, and the Pennsylvania railroads; 94 miles N. of Harrisburg. It is a popular summer resort, surrounded by high hills and attractive scenery. Here are a United States Government building, Dickinson Seminary for Girls, high school, public libraries, Home for the Friendless, hospital, street railroad and electric light plants, waterworks, National, State and other banks, numerous churches, and several daily and weekly newspapers. The industries include rubber works, a silk mill, lumber mills, iron furnace, carriage factories, sewing machine works, paint, soap, glue, and furniture factories, etc. Pop. (1910) 31,860; (1920) 36,198.
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Willimantic
a city of Windham co., Conn.; on the Willimantic river, and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford, the New England, and the Central Vermont railroads; 32 miles S. E. of Hartford. It contains churches, an academy, State Normal Training School, convent, Dunham Hall, public libraries, waterworks, electric lights, National and savings banks, and several newspapers. The river here falls 100 feet and affords abundant power. There are extensive manufactures of spool cotton, cotton, silk, and woolen goods, silk machinery, tinware, ironware, etc. Pop. (1910) 11,230; (1920) 12,330.
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Willis
NATHANIEL PARKER an American author; born in Portland, Me., Jan. 20, 1806; was educated at Boston, Andover, and Yale College; employed by S. P. Goodrich (Peter Parley) to edit "The Legendary" (1828) and "The Token" (1829); established the "American Monthly Magazine," which was merged in the "New York Mirror"; traveled in France, Italy, Greece, European Turkey, Asia Minor, and finally England; returned to America in 1837, and afterward edited " The Home Journal. " His numerous published writings include " Pencillings by the Way " of Adventure" NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS (1836); "Loiterings of Travel" (1839); I Have Met" (1850); "Famous Persons and Places" (1854); "Outdoors at Idlewild" (1854); "The Convalescent, His Rambles and Adventures" (1859). He died near Newburgh, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1867. sylvania, in Allegheny co. WILMERDING, a borough of Penn- It is on the Pennsylvania railroad. Its industries include foundries and machine the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. Pop. (1910) 6,133; (1920) 6,441.
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