James Watson is an American geneticist and biophysicist who played a crucial role in the discovery of the molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the substance that is the basis of heredity. For this accomplishment he was awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with

James Watson is an American geneticist and biophysicist who played a crucial role in the discovery of the molecular structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the substance that is the basis of heredity. For this accomplishment he was awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with

Kailyard school: …A Window in Thrums (1889), Ian Maclaren (pseudonym of John Watson), and S.R. Crockett were widely read throughout Scotland, England, and the United States and inspired many imitators. The natural and unsophisticated style and parochial viewpoint quickly degenerated into mawkish sentimentality, which provoked a hostile reaction among contemporary Scottish realists…

John B. Watson was an American psychologist who codified and publicized behaviourism, an approach to psychology that, in his view, was restricted to the objective, experimental study of the relations between environmental events and human behaviour. Watsonian behaviourism became the dominant

John B. Watson was an American psychologist who codified and publicized behaviourism, an approach to psychology that, in his view, was restricted to the objective, experimental study of the relations between environmental events and human behaviour. Watsonian behaviourism became the dominant

John Christian Watson was a politician and the first Labour prime minister of Australia (1904). Educated in New Zealand, Watson moved to Sydney to work as a typographer. He became involved in the labour movement and was elected president of the Sydney Trades and Labour Council and president of the

Australian literature: Aboriginal narrative: the oral tradition: …century, the poet and storyteller Maureen Watson helped to maintain the oral tradition by reading on radio and television and by performing at schools.

Doc Watson: …many years with his son, Merle, on rhythm guitar. After his son’s death in a tractor accident in 1985, Watson continued to tour and record, sometimes with Merle’s son, Richard; in 1988 he founded the annual acoustic Merle Watson Memorial Festival (MerleFest) in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Paul Watson is a Canadian American environmental activist who founded (1977) the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an organization that sought to protect marine wildlife. Watson exhibited an early affinity for protecting wildlife. At age nine he would seek out and destroy leghold traps that were

art criticism: The irony of the avant-garde: …Modern Art Market (1992), journalist Peter Watson points out that art criticism, however high-minded, serves the art market, which is part of the prevailing consumer society (a reality especially prevalent after the art boom of the 1980s). Watson suggests that, in a capitalist society, art is above all a luxury…

Renée Watson is an American author and actress who has written picture books for young children and novels for young adults. Her young adult novel Piecing Me Together (2017) won the 2018 Coretta Scott King Book Award. That same year, it was also named a Newbery Honor Book and was recognized with

Sir William Watson was an English author of lyrical and political verse, best-known for his occasional poems. His first volume, The Prince’s Quest (1880), was in the Pre-Raphaelite manner. Thereafter he became a poet of statement, concerned with current affairs. Watson’s Wordsworth’s Grave (1890),

Sir William Watson was an English author of lyrical and political verse, best-known for his occasional poems. His first volume, The Prince’s Quest (1880), was in the Pre-Raphaelite manner. Thereafter he became a poet of statement, concerned with current affairs. Watson’s Wordsworth’s Grave (1890),

Tate murders: …8, Manson ordered his follower Charles “Tex” Watson to go to 10050 Cielo Drive with several other cult members and kill everyone there “as gruesome[ly] as you can.” Manson was familiar with the house because its previous tenant, music producer Terry Melcher, had earlier considered and then decided against giving…

Thomas Augustus Watson was an American telephone pioneer and shipbuilder, one of the original organizers of the Bell Telephone Company, who later turned to shipbuilding and constructed a number of vessels for the United States government. After leaving school at the age of 14, Watson began work in

Rebecca Ann Felton: …by the death of Senator Thomas E. Watson, whose antagonism to former President Woodrow Wilson and all of his policies she heartily shared. She served only 24 hours, November 21–22, 1922, before being succeeded by Walter F. George, the duly elected senator. Her writings include My Memoirs of Georgia Politics…

Thomas J. Watson, Jr. was an American business executive who inherited the leadership of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from his father, Thomas J. Watson, Sr., and propelled the company into the computer age. After graduating in 1937 from Brown University, Providence, Rhode

Thomas J. Watson, Sr. was an American industrialist who built the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) into the largest manufacturer of electric typewriters and data-processing equipment in the world. The son of a lumber dealer, Watson studied at the Elmira (New York) School of

Thomas J. Watson, Jr. was an American business executive who inherited the leadership of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from his father, Thomas J. Watson, Sr., and propelled the company into the computer age. After graduating in 1937 from Brown University, Providence, Rhode

Thomas J. Watson, Sr. was an American industrialist who built the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) into the largest manufacturer of electric typewriters and data-processing equipment in the world. The son of a lumber dealer, Watson studied at the Elmira (New York) School of

Tom Watson is an American golfer who was one of the sport’s dominant figures in the 1970s and early ’80s. Watson studied psychology at Stanford University, where he competed on the school’s golf team. After graduating in 1971, he joined the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).

Tom Watson is an American golfer who was one of the sport’s dominant figures in the 1970s and early ’80s. Watson studied psychology at Stanford University, where he competed on the school’s golf team. After graduating in 1971, he joined the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).

United Kingdom: Parliamentary rejection of May’s plan, May’s survival of a confidence vote, and the Independent Group of breakaway MPs: Meanwhile, in early March, Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party, convened a meeting of Labour MPs and members of the House of Lords—many of whom felt that Corbyn had taken the party too far leftward—to consider an alternative vision for the party.

William Watson was an English Roman Catholic priest who was executed for his part in the “Bye Plot” against King James I. At the age of 16 Watson left England for France, where he was ordained priest in April 1586. Returning to England in June of that year, he spent the next 16 years in and out of

electromagnetism: Invention of the Leyden jar: …the appearance of Musschenbroek’s device, William Watson, an English physician and scientist, constructed a more-sophisticated version of the Leyden jar; he coated the inside and outside of the container with metal foil to improve its capacity to store charge. Watson transmitted an electric spark from his device through a wire…

Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt was a Scottish physicist credited with the development of radar in England. Watson-Watt attended the University of St. Andrews and later taught at University College, Dundee. From 1915 to 1952 he held a number of government positions, beginning as a meteorologist

Christopher Paul Curtis: …Curtis wrote his first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 (1995; TV movie 2013). An early draft of the book won a Jules Hopwood Prize from the University of Michigan, and the published version merited a Newbery Honor Award in 1996.

Jane Austen: Life: In 1804 Jane began The Watsons but soon abandoned it. In 1804 her dearest friend, Mrs. Anne Lefroy, died suddenly, and in January 1805 her father died in Bath.

Watsuji Tetsurō was a Japanese moral philosopher and historian of ideas, outstanding among modern Japanese thinkers who have tried to combine the Eastern moral spirit with Western ethical ideas. (Read Peter Singer’s Britannica entry on ethics.) Watsuji studied philosophy at Tokyo University and

Watt, Absurdist novel by Samuel Beckett, published in 1953. It was written in 1942–44 while Beckett, an early member of the French Resistance, was hiding in southern France from German occupying forces. There is no conventional plot to Watt, nor are there always readily assignable meanings to the

watt, unit of power in the International System of Units (SI) equal to one joule of work performed per second, or to 1746 horsepower. An equivalent is the power dissipated in an electrical conductor carrying one ampere current between points at one volt potential difference. It is named in honour

Watt steam engine, steam engine invented by Scottish engineer James Watt in 1769. The Watt steam engine is considered the first truly efficient steam engine, as it solved the problem of energy wastage through the use of a separate condenser. Watt’s essay about the steam engine for Encyclopædia

Hugh Burgess: …British-born American inventor who, with Charles Watt, developed the soda process used to turn wood pulp into paper.

Houston Texans: Led by sensational defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans set a franchise record with 12 wins in 2012 but again lost in the divisional round of the following postseason. In 2013 an injury-plagued Texans team swiftly fell from the upper echelons of the AFC and posted a league-worst 2–14 record.…

James Watt was a Scottish instrument maker and inventor whose steam engine contributed substantially to the Industrial Revolution. Watt was also known for patenting the double-acting engine and an early steam locomotive. He was elected fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1785. (Read James

Joachim Vadianus was a Swiss religious reformer and one of the most important native Swiss Humanists. Crowned poet laureate by the Habsburg emperor Maximilian (1514), Vadianus served as rector at the University of Vienna (1516–17) and supervised the publication of the works of various ancient

Dave Grohl: Nirvana: …drummer for bassist and singer-songwriter Mike Watt, backed musician Tom Petty on a Saturday Night Live appearance, and released a CD version of Pocketwatch (1995).

Pittsburgh Steelers: …the team, led by linebacker T.J. Watt, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year finalist (he won the award in 2021). Pittsburgh made the playoffs after the 2020, 2021, and 2023 seasons, each time losing in the wild card round.

watt-hour meter, device that measures and records over time the electric power flowing through a circuit. Although there are several different types of watt-hour meters, each consists essentially of a small electric motor and a counter. A precise fraction of the current flowing in the circuit is

Marīnid dynasty: …branch of the Marīnids, the Waṭṭāsids (Banū Waṭṭās), assumed rule over Morocco in 1465, but it collapsed when the Saʿdī sharifs took Fès in 1548.

Antoine Watteau was a French painter who typified the lyrically charming and graceful style of the Rococo. Much of his work reflects the influence of the commedia dell’arte and the opéra ballet (e.g., “The French Comedy,” 1716). Antoine Watteau was the son of a roof tiler. According to early

Antoine Watteau was a French painter who typified the lyrically charming and graceful style of the Rococo. Much of his work reflects the influence of the commedia dell’arte and the opéra ballet (e.g., “The French Comedy,” 1716). Antoine Watteau was the son of a roof tiler. According to early

Frisian Islands: …tidal mud flats generally called wadden in Dutch (German: Watten).

Wadden Sea, shallow inlet of the North Sea between the West Frisian Islands and the northern Netherlands mainland. The inlet extends from Noord-Holland to the northeast, where the islands gradually curve toward the mainland and the channel narrows to a few miles. Until the completion of the

Bochum: In 1975 Wattenscheid, a neighbouring city, was united with Bochum, and it serves to some extent as a dormitory suburb for the adjacent industrial complexes of Gelsenkirchen and Essen. Pop. (2003 est.) 387,283.

Bill Watterson is an American cartoonist best known for creating the popular and award-winning comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (1985–95). Watterson notably refused to license the strip’s characters for merchandising or allow any film version of the strip to be made. He retired Calvin and Hobbes in

The Courier-Journal: …Louisville Journal brought about by Henry Watterson, The Courier-Journal’s first editor, who also became a part owner. Watterson was an eloquent writer and a veteran of the Confederate army in the Civil War who greatly admired Abraham Lincoln and who believed in political participation by blacks. His half-century tenure as…

Bill Watterson is an American cartoonist best known for creating the popular and award-winning comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (1985–95). Watterson notably refused to license the strip’s characters for merchandising or allow any film version of the strip to be made. He retired Calvin and Hobbes in

Eospermatopteris, genus of extinct plants known from fossil stumps discovered in the 1870s near Gilboa, New York, U.S. Eospermatopteris trunks were discovered upright, as they would have grown in life, and occurred in dense stands in the marshy lowlands near an ancient inland sea. However, only the

acacia, (genus Acacia), genus of about 160 species of trees and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae). Acacias are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly Australia (where they are called wattles) and Africa, where they are well-known landmarks on the veld and savanna.

wattle and daub: …which vertical wooden stakes (wattles) are woven with horizontal twigs and branches, and then covered with clay, mud, or other substances (the daub). This method is one of the oldest known for making a weatherproof structure. In England, Iron Age sites have been discovered with remains of circular dwellings…

wattle and daub, in building construction, method of constructing walls in which vertical wooden stakes (wattles) are woven with horizontal twigs and branches, and then covered with clay, mud, or other substances (the daub). This method is one of the oldest known for making a weatherproof

basketry: Wattle construction: A single layer of rigid, passive, parallel standards is held together by flexible threads in one of three ways, each representing a different subtype. (1) The bound, or wrapped, type, which is not very elaborate, has a widespread distribution, being used for burden…

bird-of-paradise: …mocha-breasted, bird-of-paradise (Cnemophilus macgregorii); the wattle-billed, or golden-silky, bird-of-paradise (Loboparadisea sericea); and Loria’s, or Lady Macgregor’s, bird-of-paradise (Loria loriae)—three species formerly classified as bowerbirds.

wattle-eye, any of a number of small, stubby African songbirds of the family Platysteiridae; some authorities retain them in the flycatcher subfamily, Muscicapinae. Most species have bright, fleshy eye ornaments, or wattles: in the genus Platysteira they are found above the eyes in both sexes,

wattlebird, any of several New Zealand birds of the family Callaeidae (q.v.); also, a particular name for any honeyeater (q.v.) of the genus

kokako, (species Callaeas cinerea), New Zealand songbird of the family Callaeidae (order Passeriformes). The kokako is 45 cm (17.5 inches) long and has a gray body, black mask, and blue or orange wattles at the corners of the mouth. Surviving in a few mountain forests, the kokako lives mainly on

false sunbird: In the wattled false sunbird (Neodrepanis coruscans), the male is glossy blue above and yellow below, with a large eye wattle; this is lacking in the female, which has dark green upperparts. This species moves slowly and quietly along branches, searching for insects; sometimes (like a true…

Wattrelos, town, Nord département, Hauts-de-France région, northern France, on the Belgian-French border. A northeastern suburb of Roubaix, it has textile, chemical, and metallurgical industries. The community was known as Waterloz in 1030, and the discovery of a golden effigy of Nero in 1864

Watts, southwestern district of Los Angeles, California, U.S. The district, originally called Mud Town, was renamed in 1900 for C.H. Watts, a Pasadena realtor who owned a ranch there. It was annexed to Los Angeles in 1926. The Watts district gained widespread notoriety on August 11–16, 1965, as the

Watts Riots of 1965, series of violent confrontations between Los Angeles police and residents of Watts and other predominantly African American neighbourhoods of South-Central Los Angeles that began August 11, 1965, and lasted for six days. The immediate cause of the disturbances was the arrest of

Watts: A notable local attraction is Watts Towers (now a state historic park and a national historic landmark), a group of 17 bricolage spires constructed from 1921 to 1954 by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia from broken tiles, dishes, rocks, bottles, and seashells; the tallest of the towers rises to nearly 100…

Alan Watts was a British-born American writer, philosopher, and lecturer who is credited with introducing and popularizing Eastern philosophy and religion among Western audiences in the mid-20th century. Watts was widely recognized for his ability to convey ideas and perspectives associated with

Alan Watts was a British-born American writer, philosopher, and lecturer who is credited with introducing and popularizing Eastern philosophy and religion among Western audiences in the mid-20th century. Watts was widely recognized for his ability to convey ideas and perspectives associated with

André Watts was a German-born American pianist who was known for a surpassing technique and understated manner that made him a favored concert performer. Watts was born in Germany, where his father, an African American soldier, was stationed; his mother was a Hungarian refugee and accomplished

the Rolling Stones: Later members

House with No Steps: The organization’s driving force was Dorothy Watts and her husband, Lionel Watts, who had struggled to find employment after he became a quadriplegic as a consequence of contracting polio in 1956. Confronted by a lack of understanding in the Sydney community and by the negative attitude that existed towards disabled…

George Frederick Watts was an English painter and sculptor of grandiose allegorical themes. Watts believed that art should preach a universal message, but his subject matter, conceived in terms of vague abstract ideals, is full of symbolism that is often obscure and today seems superficial. Watts

Isaac Watts was an English Nonconformist minister, regarded as the father of English hymnody. Watts, whose father was a Nonconformist, studied at the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington, London, which he left in 1694. In 1696 he became tutor to the family of Sir John Hartopp of Stoke Newington (a

J.C. Watts is an American Republican politician who served as a congressman from Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives (1995–2003). Watts first rose to national prominence as a gridiron football star, playing quarterback for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. He led his team to consecutive

Walter Jackson Freeman II: …neurologist who, with American neurosurgeon James W. Watts, was responsible for introducing to the United States prefrontal lobotomy, an operation in which the destruction of neurons and neuronal tracts in the white matter of the brain was considered therapeutic for patients with mental disorders. Freeman’s use of and public advocacy…

Doulton ware: …Lambeth, London, in association with John Watts and known as Doulton and Watts. The company became Doulton and Co. (Ltd.) about 1858 and remained so until the factory closed in 1956.

J.C. Watts is an American Republican politician who served as a congressman from Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives (1995–2003). Watts first rose to national prominence as a gridiron football star, playing quarterback for the University of Oklahoma Sooners. He led his team to consecutive

House with No Steps: …Dorothy Watts and her husband, Lionel Watts, who had struggled to find employment after he became a quadriplegic as a consequence of contracting polio in 1956. Confronted by a lack of understanding in the Sydney community and by the negative attitude that existed towards disabled people, the couple joined with…

Naomi Watts is a British-born Australian actress acclaimed for her subtle performances and eclectic film roles. Her credits included surrealist thrillers (Mulholland Drive [2001]), crime dramas (21 Grams [2003]), quirky comedies (I Heart Huckabees [2004]), and big-budget adventures (King Kong

Theodore Watts-Dunton was an English critic and man of letters, who was the friend and, after 1879, protector, agent, and nurse of the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne. Watts studied law and practiced in London, but his real interest was literature. He contributed regularly to the Examiner and was

Theodore Watts-Dunton was an English critic and man of letters, who was the friend and, after 1879, protector, agent, and nurse of the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne. Watts studied law and practiced in London, but his real interest was literature. He contributed regularly to the Examiner and was

Theodore Watts-Dunton was an English critic and man of letters, who was the friend and, after 1879, protector, agent, and nurse of the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne. Watts studied law and practiced in London, but his real interest was literature. He contributed regularly to the Examiner and was

Alexander Wilson: …production, a comic, dramatic ballad, Watty and Meg, was published anonymously; its popularity may have been the result of the belief that the poet Robert Burns was its author. Wilson apparently was never financially successful in publishing verse. In 1792 his satirical writings to aid the cause of the weavers…

Ceram: … (or Goram) Islands, and the Watubela group, all southeast of Ceram. None has hills of more than 1,300 feet (400 metres), and most are thickly wooded. Ceram is covered with tropical forests, the result of a hot climate and heavy rainfall, and excellent timber is produced. The sago palm thrives,…

Tutsi, ethnic group of probable Nilotic origin, whose members live within Rwanda and Burundi. The Tutsi formed the traditional aristocratic minority in both countries, constituting about 9 percent and 14 percent of the population, respectively. The Tutsis’ numbers in Rwanda were greatly reduced by

twist: …example, the frug and the watusi—were invariably performed by shaking the pelvis. In these dances partners only sometimes coordinated their movements. Among the suggested precursors of the twist are included the shimmy and the black bottom, and a song that was popular before 1910 included the lines “Mama, mama, where…

Tutsi, ethnic group of probable Nilotic origin, whose members live within Rwanda and Burundi. The Tutsi formed the traditional aristocratic minority in both countries, constituting about 9 percent and 14 percent of the population, respectively. The Tutsis’ numbers in Rwanda were greatly reduced by

Wau, town on the island of New Guinea, eastern Papua New Guinea, southwestern Pacific Ocean. The town is situated at the junction of Edie Creek and the Bulolo River, in a mountainous region accessible by road from Lae and by air from Port Moresby. Gold was first discovered (1921) at Koranga Creek,

Wau, town, northwestern South Sudan. It lies on the western bank of the Jur River (a tributary of Al-Ghazāl River), about 140 miles (220 km) northwest of Rumbek. The town was the scene of antigovernment disturbances in 1965, in which a number of people were killed and much of Wau was destroyed as a

Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie: …in her major written work, Wau-bun: The “Early Days” in the North-west (1856), which combined travel accounts and personal experiences of her early years at Fort Winnebago, including the Black Hawk War of 1832, with Native American legends, further early history of Chicago, and particularly the story of John Kinzie.…

Wauchope, town, eastern coastal New South Wales, Australia. It lies about 12 miles (20 km) above the mouth of the Hastings River, just west of Port Macquarie. Wauchope was named for Captain Wauch, an early settler. Its traditional economy was based on lumbering and the manufacture of wood products,

Waucoban Series, lowermost Cambrian rocks (the Cambrian Period lasted from 542 million to 488 million years ago); the name is derived from exposures found at Waucoba Springs, Calif. The period of time corresponding to the rocks of the Waucoban Series is known as the Waucoban Epoch. The Waucoban is

Alfred R. Waud was a British-born American illustrator whose lively and detailed sketches of scenes from the Civil War, which he covered as a press correspondent, captured the war’s dramatic intensity and furnished him with a reputation as one of the preeminent artist-journalists of his era. Waud

Alfred R. Waud was a British-born American illustrator whose lively and detailed sketches of scenes from the Civil War, which he covered as a press correspondent, captured the war’s dramatic intensity and furnished him with a reputation as one of the preeminent artist-journalists of his era. Waud

Mons: Waudru, or Waltrudis, daughter of the Count of Hainaut. During the 9th century, turreted ramparts encircled the small town. Recognized by Charlemagne as the capital of Hainaut (804), it prospered as a cloth-weaving centre between the 14th and the 16th century. Mons, a stronghold and frontier town,…

Alec Waugh was an English popular novelist and travel writer, older brother of the writer Evelyn Waugh. Waugh was educated at Sherborne, from which he was expelled, and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. While only 17, he wrote The Loom of Youth (1917), a novel about public school life that

Alec Waugh was an English popular novelist and travel writer, older brother of the writer Evelyn Waugh. Waugh was educated at Sherborne, from which he was expelled, and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. While only 17, he wrote The Loom of Youth (1917), a novel about public school life that

Evelyn Waugh was an English writer regarded by many as the most brilliant satirical novelist of his day. Waugh was educated at Lancing College, Sussex, and at Hertford College, Oxford. After short periods as an art student and schoolmaster, he devoted himself to solitary observant travel and to the

Evelyn Waugh was an English writer regarded by many as the most brilliant satirical novelist of his day. Waugh was educated at Lancing College, Sussex, and at Hertford College, Oxford. After short periods as an art student and schoolmaster, he devoted himself to solitary observant travel and to the

Mark Waugh is an Australian cricketer who, with his twin brother, Steve, dominated cricket in Australia in the 1990s. Waugh—known as “Junior,” since he was born four minutes after his twin—broke into the Australian Test team as a replacement for his brother, scoring 138 on his debut in 1990.

Mark Waugh is an Australian cricketer who, with his twin brother, Steve, dominated cricket in Australia in the 1990s. Waugh—known as “Junior,” since he was born four minutes after his twin—broke into the Australian Test team as a replacement for his brother, scoring 138 on his debut in 1990.

glassware: United States: …and the sculptor and designer Sidney Waugh, aimed to produce glass with engraved decoration that would rank as fine art. Other noteworthy modern American work included simple designs in blown glass by the Blenko Glass Company of Milton, West Virginia, and enamel patterned bowls by the independent artist Maurice Heaton.…

Steve Waugh is an Australian cricketer who set the record for most international Test appearances (168; later broken by Sachin Tendulkar) and who, with his twin brother, Mark, helped lead the resurgence of the Australian national team in the late 20th century. Waugh made his debut at the age of 20

Steve Waugh is an Australian cricketer who set the record for most international Test appearances (168; later broken by Sachin Tendulkar) and who, with his twin brother, Mark, helped lead the resurgence of the Australian national team in the late 20th century. Waugh made his debut at the age of 20