Afonso I: …his party prevailed in the Battle of São Mamede, near Guimarães (1128). Though at first obliged as a vassal to submit to his cousin Alfonso VII of Leon, Afonso assumed the title of king in 1139.

Teles Pires River, river in central Brazil. It rises as the Paranatinga River in the Serra Azul (the Amazon-Paraguay river divide) in central Mato Grosso state and flows generally north-northwestward, where it joins the Juruena River to form the Tapajós River, a major tributary of the Amazon. For

Teles Pires River, river in central Brazil. It rises as the Paranatinga River in the Serra Azul (the Amazon-Paraguay river divide) in central Mato Grosso state and flows generally north-northwestward, where it joins the Juruena River to form the Tapajós River, a major tributary of the Amazon. For

São Marcos Bay, bay of the Atlantic Ocean in Maranhão estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is about 60 miles (100 km) long and up to 10 miles (16 km) wide. The bay is actually a drowned river mouth, part of the Mearim River estuary, and it receives the Grajaú and the Itapicuru rivers. Of the

São Marcos Bay, bay of the Atlantic Ocean in Maranhão estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is about 60 miles (100 km) long and up to 10 miles (16 km) wide. The bay is actually a drowned river mouth, part of the Mearim River estuary, and it receives the Grajaú and the Itapicuru rivers. Of the

Espírito Santo: The most important rivers—the Doce, São Mateus, and Itapemirim—flow eastward across the state to the ocean; navigation on these rivers is hampered by their irregular rate of flow, as well as by falls, rapids, and sandbars.

São Miguel Island, island, largest of the Azores archipelago of Portugal, in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is situated about 740 miles (1,190 km) west of Cape Roca on Portugal’s west coast. São Miguel is up to 40 miles (65 km) long and 9 miles (15 km) wide and has an area of 293 square miles (759

São Miguel Island, island, largest of the Azores archipelago of Portugal, in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is situated about 740 miles (1,190 km) west of Cape Roca on Portugal’s west coast. São Miguel is up to 40 miles (65 km) long and 9 miles (15 km) wide and has an area of 293 square miles (759

São Nicolau Island, island of Cape Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of Santa Luzia and Boa Vista, about 400 miles (640 km) off the West African coast. Of volcanic origin and mountainous, it rises to 4,277 feet (1,304 metres) at Mount Gordo. Settled since the 15th century, the

São Nicolau Island, island of Cape Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of Santa Luzia and Boa Vista, about 400 miles (640 km) off the West African coast. Of volcanic origin and mountainous, it rises to 4,277 feet (1,304 metres) at Mount Gordo. Settled since the 15th century, the

São Paulo, city, capital of São Paulo estado (state), southeastern Brazil. It is the foremost industrial centre in Latin America. The city is located on a plateau of the Brazilian Highlands extending inland from the Serra do Mar, which rises as part of the Great Escarpment only a short distance

São Paulo, estado (state) of southeastern Brazil, bordering on the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast and bounded by the states of Minas Gerais (northeast), Rio de Janeiro (east), Paraná (southwest), and Mato Grosso do Sul (west). São Paulo constitutes the heart of the Southeast, Brazil’s most

São Paulo FC, Brazilian professional football (soccer) club based in São Paulo. São Paulo FC is one of the most popular clubs in Brazil, and the club’s six national league titles are more than any other Brazilian team. São Paulo was formed in 1935 by the merger of two football clubs, Clube de

Luanda, city, capital of Angola. Located on the Atlantic coast of northern Angola, it is the country’s largest city and one of its busiest seaports. Founded in 1576 by Paulo Dias de Novais and initially settled by the Portuguese, Luanda became the administrative centre of the Portuguese colony of

São Paulo FC, Brazilian professional football (soccer) club based in São Paulo. São Paulo FC is one of the most popular clubs in Brazil, and the club’s six national league titles are more than any other Brazilian team. São Paulo was formed in 1935 by the merger of two football clubs, Clube de

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, form of tick-borne typhus first described in the Rocky Mountain section of the United States, caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by certain species of ticks. Although historically known from the Rocky Mountain region, particularly the U.S.

São Paulo FC, Brazilian professional football (soccer) club based in São Paulo. São Paulo FC is one of the most popular clubs in Brazil, and the club’s six national league titles are more than any other Brazilian team. São Paulo was formed in 1935 by the merger of two football clubs, Clube de

Brazil: Higher education: The University of São Paulo is the largest and most important state university. The largest private university is Paulista University, also located in São Paulo.

Brazil: Higher education: The University of São Paulo is the largest and most important state university. The largest private university is Paulista University, also located in São Paulo.

São Francisco River: Physiography: …the São Francisco receives the São Pedro, Ipueira, and Pajeú rivers—culminates in the great Paulo Afonso Falls (see photograph). At the top of the falls, the river divides suddenly and violently and cuts three successive falls through the granite rocks for a total drop of about 275 feet. Below the…

Rio Grande, port city, southeastern Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. The city lies along the Rio Grande (river), which is the outlet to the Atlantic Ocean of the Patos Lagoon. It is built on a low peninsula, barely 5 feet (1.5 metres) above sea level and 8 miles (13 km) from the

Saint Peter and Saint Paul Rocks, archipelago lying about 685 miles (1,100 km) off the coast of northeastern Brazil, just north of the Equator. Under Brazilian sovereignty, it consists of six large islands, four smaller ones, and several rock tops. It is one of the most important fishing sites of

Vasco da Gama: The first voyage: …“São Gabriel” and the “São Rafael”; a 50-ton caravel, named the “Berrio”; and a 200-ton storeship. With da Gama’s fleet went three interpreters—two Arabic speakers and one who spoke several Bantu dialects. The fleet also carried padrões (stone pillars) to set up as marks of discovery.

Cape São Roque, headland on the northeastern Atlantic coast of Brazil, Rio Grande do Norte state, 20 miles (32 km) north of Natal, the state capital. It is frequently called the easternmost point of the South American continent (at 5°29′ S 35°13′ W), but the true eastern extremity is at Cape Branco

Lisbon: Cultural life: …is the 16th-century church of St. Roque, whose unpretentious exterior belies its opulent collection of painted tiles, paintings, and mosaics inlaid with semiprecious stones.

Salvador, city, major port, and capital (since 1889) of Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is the country’s third largest city. Salvador is situated at the southern tip of a picturesque, bluff-formed peninsula that separates Todos os Santos (All Saints) Bay, a deep natural harbour, from

M’banza Congo, city, northwestern Angola. It is situated on a low plateau about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Nóqui, which is the nearest point on the Congo River. Originally known as Mbanza Kongo, it was the capital of the Kongo kingdom from about 1390 until 1914, when the kingdom was broken up

Ribeirão Prêto, city, northeastern São Paulo estado (state), southeastern Brazil. Situated in the Brazilian Highlands region at an elevation of 1,700 feet (520 metres) above sea level, it lies on the Prêto River, a tributary of the Pardo River. Founded in 1856 and formerly called Entre Rios and São

Santiago, largest and most populous island of Cabo Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles (640 km) off the West African coast. The land rises to its highest elevation at Antónia Peak, 4,566 feet (1,392 metres) above sea level. Santiago is Cabo Verde’s most agriculturally productive island.

Vasco da Gama: The third voyage: …Admiral and the Order of São Tiago over the ownership of the town of Sines, which the Admiral had been promised but which the order refused to yield. Da Gama had married a lady of good family, Caterina de Ataíde—perhaps in 1500 after his return from his first voyage—and he…

São Tomé, city and capital of Sao Tome and Principe. It is on the northeastern coast of the island of São Tomé, situated on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea. It is the country’s largest city and one of its major ports. São Tomé is home to the National Museum, the National Archives, and a large

Sao Tome and Principe, island country of Central Africa, located on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea. It consists of two main islands—São Tomé and Príncipe—and several rocky islets, including Rôlas, south of São Tomé island, and Caroço, Pedras, and Tinhosas, south of Príncipe. São Tomé, which is

national flag consisting of horizontal stripes of green, yellow, and green with a red hoist triangle and two black stars on the yellow stripe. The flag has a width-to-length ratio of 1 to 2.Following the revolution in Portugal in April 1974, the possibility of independence for Portuguese colonies

history of Sao Tome and Principe, a survey of notable events and people in the history of Sao Tome and Principe, an island country of Central Africa. Located on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe consists of two main islands—São Tomé and Príncipe—and several rocky islets,

Sao Tome and Principe, island country of Central Africa, located on the Equator in the Gulf of Guinea. It consists of two main islands—São Tomé and Príncipe—and several rocky islets, including Rôlas, south of São Tomé island, and Caroço, Pedras, and Tinhosas, south of Príncipe. São Tomé, which is

forest cobra: subfulva), the São Tomé forest cobra (N. peroescobari), the black forest cobra (N. guineensis), and the West African banded cobra (N. savannula).

Sao Tome and Principe: Land: São Tomé, which is oval in shape, is larger than Príncipe, which lies about 90 miles (145 km) northeast of its sister island. The capital of the country, São Tomé city, is situated in the northeastern part of São Tomé island. The country’s closest neighbours…

Sao Tome and Principe: Relief and drainage: São Tomé Peak, the highest point on the main island, rises to 6,640 feet (2,024 metres) above sea level, and Príncipe Peak on the smaller island reaches 3,110 feet (948 metres). These mountainous areas are deeply dissected by stream erosion, and spectacular isolated volcanic plugs…

Cape São Tomé, headland on the Atlantic coast of eastern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro state, 25 miles (40 km) southeast of Campos. It was formed by sediments deposited by the Paraíba do Sul River, which discharges into the ocean at a point 25 miles (40 km) to the north. The cape was first sighted by

São Vicente, city, southeastern São Paulo estado (state), Brazil. It lies on São Vicente Island and adjoins Santos city in Santos Bay, forming part of the greater Santos metropolitan area. Although the exact date of its settlement is unknown, São Vicente was one of the earliest successful

São Vicente Island, island of Cape Verde, in the Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of Santo Antão and Santa Luzia, about 400 miles (640 km) off the western African coast. It rises to Monte Verde (2,539 feet [774 metres]). The main economic activities are subsistence agriculture (corn [maize],

Cape Saint Vincent, cape, southwesternmost Portugal, forming with Sagres Point a promontory on the Atlantic Ocean. To the Greeks and Romans it was known, from the presence of a shrine there, as the Sacred Promontory. Tourism, pastoralism, and fishing are the economic mainstays of the region, which

bovid: …in its own genus, the saola, discovered in the 1990s in the montane forests that divide Laos and Vietnam.

Saône River, river that rises near Vioménil, southwest of Épinal, in the Vosges département, Lorraine région, eastern France. It flows southward to join the Rhône River at Lyon after a course of about 300 miles (480 km). From its source the Saône flows southwestward into Haute-Saône département

Burgundy: …the central départements of Côte-d’Or, Saône-et-Loire, Nièvre, and Yonne. In 2016 the Burgundy région was joined with the région of Franche-Comté to form the new administrative entity of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Savara, tribe of eastern India. They are distributed mainly in the states of Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihār, with total numbers of about 310,000, most of whom are in Orissa. Most Savara have become Hinduized and generally speak the Oriya language. Their traditional form of Munda

Saoshyans, in Zoroastrian eschatology, final saviour of the world and quencher of its evil; he is the foremost of three saviours (the first two are Ōshētar and Ōshētarmāh) who are all posthumous sons of Zoroaster. One will appear at the end of each of the three last millennia of the world,

Sao Tome and Principe: Languages: …three Portuguese-based creoles are spoken: Sãotomense, spoken by the Forros and having by far the largest number of speakers; Angolar, the language of the Angolares, spoken on the southern tip of São Tomé; and Principense, spoken by only a few hundred individuals on Príncipe.

Swedish Social Democratic Party (SAP), socialist political party in Sweden, the country’s oldest existing political party. From its founding in 1889, the SAP has been committed to the creation of an egalitarian society. It has led Sweden’s government for most of the period since 1932. The SAP

Shai Agassi: …2001 TopTier was bought by SAP, a leading German software company, for $400 million. The following year Agassi joined the SAP executive board and became president of SAP’s Products and Technology Group. Known as a persuasive visionary with a command of the facts, he was invited (2005) to join the…

anthropic principle: Forms of the anthropic principle: …WAP be distinguished from a strong anthropic principle (SAP), which posits that life must exist in the universe. This has been cast as a teleological statement: the universe has been fine-tuned in order to ensure that life arises. Analysis of this statement lies outside the domain of science. (Alternatively, if…

sap, watery fluid of plants. Cell sap is a fluid found in the vacuoles (small cavities) of the living cell; it contains variable amounts of food and waste materials, inorganic salts, and nitrogenous compounds. Xylem sap carries soil nutrients (e.g., dissolved minerals) from the root system to the

South African Party (SAP), South African political party formed in November 1911, in the aftermath of the 1910 Union of South Africa, by various parties allied to Louis Botha and Jan Smuts. It was the governing party in South Africa from 1911 to 1924 and laid the foundations of apartheid. The party

sap beetle, (family Nitidulidae), any of at least 2,000 species of beetles (insect order Coleoptera) usually found around souring or fermenting plant fluids (e.g., decaying fruit, moldy logs, fungi). Sap beetles are about 12 mm (0.5 inch) or less in length and oval or elongated in shape. In some

Luang Lake, coastal lake or lagoon (thale), southern Thailand, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The lake, 50 miles (80 km) long and up to 15 miles (24 km) wide, is dotted with islands. It is a fertile fishing ground and is connected to the Gulf of Thailand at Songkhla town on its southern

capuchin monkey, (genus Cebus), common Central and South American primate found in tropical forests from Nicaragua to Paraguay. Capuchins, considered among the most intelligent of the New World monkeys, are named for their “caps” of hair, which resemble the cowls of Capuchin monks. These monkeys

Sapele, town and port, Delta state, southern Nigeria. It lies along the Benin River just below the confluence of the Ethiope and Jamieson rivers, 98 miles (158 km) from the Escravos Bar and entrance to the Bight of Benin. The town also lies on the road that branches to Warri, Ughelli, and Asaba and

Sea Islands: …antebellum period, almost all of Sapelo Island became the domain of Thomas Spalding, a prominent Georgia slaveholder, planter, and legislator. In the last half of the 19th century, Jekyll Island was made an exclusive winter playground for members of the Jekyll Island Club; the Carnegie family also secured most of…

Harlem Globetrotters: Sports promoter Abe Saperstein acquired the team soon after and owned it until his death in 1966. In January 1927 the team debuted in Hinckley, Illinois, under the name New York Globetrotters. The name was changed in 1930 to Harlem Globetrotters to capitalize on the cultural notoriety…

Ẓafār, ancient Arabian site located southwest of Yarīm in southern Yemen. It was the capital of the Himyarites, a tribe that ruled much of southern Arabia from about 115 bce to about 525 ce. Up until the Persian conquest (c. 575 ce), Ẓafār was one of the most important and celebrated towns in

human nervous system: Lumbar plexus: …surface of the leg (saphenous nerve), to the quadriceps muscles (muscular branches), to the hip and knee joints, and to the articularis genu muscle.

human cardiovascular system: Inferior vena cava and its tributaries: …by the large and small saphenous veins, which are continuations of the dorsal venous arch. The small saphenous vein extends up the back of the lower leg to terminate usually in the popliteal vein. There is some interconnection with deep veins and with the great saphenous vein. The latter vein,…

Alphonse Daudet: Life: …much later, in his novel Sapho (1884). He also contributed articles to the newspapers, in particular to Figaro. In 1860 he met Frédéric Mistral, the leader of the 19th-century revival of Provençal language and literature, who awakened his enthusiasm for the life of the south of France, which was regarded…

armour: Modern body armour systems: …mm, and two ceramic “small arms protective inserts,” or SAPI plates, which can be inserted into the vest to provide additional protection. Altogether the full system weighs some 16 pounds (7.25 kg), but it provides protection against 7.62-mm full-metal-jacket rifle bullets—a level of protection that earlier versions of body…

Sapieha Family, princely family, important in Polish history, that was descended from Ukrainian boyars subject to Lithuania. Lew (1557–1633), a Calvinist in his youth, returned to Roman Catholicism and supported the king of Poland. He served as chancellor of Lithuania in 1589–1623 and encouraged

Sapindaceae, the soapberry family of flowering plants (order Sapindales), comprising about 145 genera and some 1,925 species. Its members occur mainly in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world and are especially abundant in the American tropics. A number of species produce wood useful for

Sapindales, order of dicotyledonous flowering plants, containing 9 families, about 460 genera, and some 5,700 species of shrubs, woody vines, and trees. It includes the Citrus genus and other species important for their fruits. More than half the species in Sapindales belong to two families:

soapberry, any member of the genus Sapindus, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), comprising about 12 species of shrubs and trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, the Americas, and islands of the Pacific. The leaves are divided into leaflets, which are arranged along an axis.

Sapindales: Sapindaceae: The fruits of Sapindus saponaria (soapberry), a tropical American species, contain saponins (chemical substances that produce soapy lather in water) and are used as soap. The genus name Sapindus means “soap of the Indians.” A number of members of Sapindaceae have saponins in their tissues. In the American…

Edward Sapir was one of the foremost American linguists and anthropologists of his time, most widely known for his contributions to the study of North American Indian languages. A founder of ethnolinguistics, which considers the relationship of culture to language, he was also a principal developer

Pinhas Sapir was an influential Israeli politician who was noted for securing funds and military aid for Israel. At age 20 Sapir moved to Palestine, where he joined the Israel Labour Party, organized demonstrations and strikes during the period of British rule, and was imprisoned for four months

Pinhas Sapir was an influential Israeli politician who was noted for securing funds and military aid for Israel. At age 20 Sapir moved to Palestine, where he joined the Israel Labour Party, organized demonstrations and strikes during the period of British rule, and was imprisoned for four months

Whorfian hypothesis, in linguistics, a hypothesis given classic form by the American linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf stating that language influences thought and perception of reality. It is also called linguistic relativity, because it focuses on how different languages lead to differences in

Malawi: Climate: …northern highlands and on the Sapitwa peak of the Mulanje massif, where they are about 90 inches (2,300 mm); they are lowest in the lower Shire valley, where they range from 25 to 35 inches (650 to 900 mm).

tallow tree: …a source of rubber, and S. biloculare, from northern Mexico, which is one of the small trees from which jumping beans come. The butter, or tallow, tree of Sierra Leone is Pentadesma butyracea, of the family Guttiferae (also called Clusiaceae).

tallow tree: …genus of tropical trees, including S. jenmanii, of Guyana, which is a source of rubber, and S. biloculare, from northern Mexico, which is one of the small trees from which jumping beans come. The butter, or tallow, tree of Sierra Leone is Pentadesma butyracea, of the family Guttiferae (also called…

tallow tree, (Sapium sebiferum), small tree, of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to China but much cultivated in the tropics for its tallow-producing seeds and elsewhere as an ornamental. The seeds are thickly coated with vegetable tallow from which candles and soap are made. It is a

Sami, any member of a people speaking the Sami language and inhabiting Lapland and adjacent areas of northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as the Kola Peninsula of Russia, a region they call Sápmi. Although a number of Sami languages exist, many Sami no longer speak their native language,

Lapland, region of northern Europe largely within the Arctic Circle, stretching across northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland and into the Kola Peninsula of Russia. It is bounded by the Norwegian Sea on the west, the Barents Sea on the north, and the White Sea on the east. Lapland, the conventional

sapodilla, (Manilkara zapota), tropical evergreen tree (family Sapotaceae) and its distinctive fruit, native to southern Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean. Though of no great commercial importance in any part of the world, the sapodilla is much appreciated in many tropical and

Ericales: Sapotaceae: Sapotaceae is a largely tropical family of evergreen trees and shrubs. There are 53 genera and about 1,100 species in the family, but generic limits in the family are notoriously difficult and changeable. Pouteria (200–305 species, including the former genus Planchonella), Chrysophyllum (80 species),…

sapogenin, any of a class of organic compounds occurring in many species of plants as derivatives of the steroid and the triterpenoid groups in the form of their glycosides, the saponins (q.v.). A similar group of steroid compounds, the genins, is present in the venom of toads, not as glycosides

soapwort, (genus Saponaria), genus of about 40 species of flowering plants in the pink family (Caryophyllaceae). Soapworts are native to Eurasia, with a number of weedy species that have naturalized elsewhere. A few are cultivated for their attractive flowers. Soapworts are annual or perennial

soapwort: Major species: A trailing species known as rock soapwort, or tumbling Ted (S. ocymoides), has several cultivated varieties with pink to deep red flower clusters. Pygmy pink (S. pumilio) is a very small alpine specimen sometimes grown in rock gardens.

soapwort: Major species: Common soapwort, or bouncing Bet (S. officinalis), reaching a height of 1 metre (3 feet), is widely naturalized in eastern North America. Its roots have been used medicinally, and its sap is a substitute for soap.

soapwort: Major species: Pygmy pink (S. pumilio) is a very small alpine specimen sometimes grown in rock gardens.

sperm oil: Saponification yielded fatty acids for soap manufacture and fatty alcohols for cosmetics and detergents.

saponin, any of numerous substances, occurring in plants, that form stable foams with water, including the constituents of digitalis and squill that affect the heart and another group that does not affect the heart. Saponins affecting the heart have been used as arrow and spear poisons by African

saponite, clay mineral of the montmorillonite group. See

Shāpūr I, Persian king of the Sāsānian dynasty who consolidated and expanded the empire founded by his father, Ardashīr I. Shāpūr continued his father’s wars with Rome, conquering Nisibis (modern Nusaybin, Tur.) and Carrhae (Harran, Tur.) and advancing deep into Syria. Defeated at Resaina (now in

Ericales: Sapotaceae: Sapotaceae is a largely tropical family of evergreen trees and shrubs. There are 53 genera and about 1,100 species in the family, but generic limits in the family are notoriously difficult and changeable. Pouteria (200–305 species, including the former genus Planchonella), Chrysophyllum (80 species),…

sapote, (Pouteria sapota), plant of the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae) and its edible fruit. Sapote is native to Central America but cultivated as far north as the southeastern United States. The fruit is commonly eaten fresh and is also made into smoothies, ice cream, and preserves. The large

calicivirus: Vesivirus, Sapovirus, and Norovirus (Norwalk-like viruses). Type species of this family include Vesicular exanthema of swine virus, Norwalk virus, and Sapporo virus. Species of Norovirus frequently give rise to outbreaks of foodborne and waterborne gastroenteritis in humans. Feline calicivirus (FCV)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: …in the NFL, featuring tackle Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks, and defensive backs John Lynch and Ronde Barber. The Bucs made four postseason appearances in the five seasons between 1997 and 2001, but the offensively limited team scored fewer than 10 points in each of its four playoff losses in…

sapper, military engineer. The name is derived from the French word sappe (“spadework,” or “trench”) and became connected with military engineering during the 17th century, when attackers dug covered trenches to approach the walls of a besieged fort. They also tunneled under those walls and then

Sapper was a British soldier and novelist who won immediate fame with his thriller Bull-Dog Drummond (1920), subtitled “The Adventures of a Demobilized Officer Who Found Peace Dull.” Sapper published numerous popular sequels, but none had the impact and merit of the

Ẓafār, ancient Arabian site located southwest of Yarīm in southern Yemen. It was the capital of the Himyarites, a tribe that ruled much of southern Arabia from about 115 bce to about 525 ce. Up until the Persian conquest (c. 575 ce), Ẓafār was one of the most important and celebrated towns in

prosody: Quantitative metres: …Latin poets was the so-called Sapphic stanza. It consisted of three quantitative lines that scanned

prosody: Quantitative metres: “Sapphics” by the 19th-century English poet Algernon Charles Swinburne shows the Sapphic metre and stanza in English:

Sapphira and the Slave Girl, novel by Willa Cather, published in 1940. The novel is set in Cather’s native Virginia in the mid-1800s on the estate of a declining slaveholding family. Sapphira and the Slave Girl centres on the family’s matriarch, Sapphira Colbert, and her attempt to sell Nancy Till,