Virchow, Rudolf. 1821-1902. German pathologist, anthropologist. Applied microscope to medical research. Cellular pathology 1858.

Voodoo. Carribean religious cult of ritual and magic. Synthesis of African rites and French Roman Catholicism.

Wallace, Lewis. 1827-1905. US soldier, author. Ben Hur 1880.

Wallenberg, Raoul. 1912-47?. Swedish diplomat. Saved thousands of Jews in WWII Budapest. Jailed by Soviets. Holocaust.

Walsh, Thomas. 1859-1933. US senator. Exposed Teapot Dome.

Walton, Izaak. 1593-1683. English author. Compleat Angler 1653.

Weber, Anton. 1883-1945. “Pointilist” composer. Early user of 12-note method.

Whiskey Rebellion. 1794. Pennsylvania settlers vs excise tax. Cavalry suppressed without violence.

Whitefield, George. 1714-70. English evangelist, founder of Calvinistic Methodist Church. Stimulated 18C religious revival.

White Mountain, Battle. 1620. First battle of Thirty Years War. Catholic League defeats Bohemian nobles.

Wiesel, Elie. 1928-. Romanian Holocaust victim, author. After the Darkness 2002. Foundation for Humanity. .

Wiggin, Kate. 1856-1923. US author. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.

Wilder, Thornton. 1897-1975. US playwright. Bridge of San Luis Rey 1927. Our Town 1938.

Wollstonecraft, Mary. 1759-97. English feminist author. Vindication of the Rights of Women 1792. Mother of Mary W Shelley.

Wolsey, Thomas. c1475-1530. English cardinal. Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII. Lost influence when unable to secure divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Built Hampton Court Palace as gift for Henry VIII. Unpopularity a cause of Reformation.

Woolf, Virginia. 1882-1941. English psychological stream of consciousness writer. Captured transience and subtlety of thought. Bloomsbury Group. Mrs Dalloway 1925. To the Lighthouse 1927. Waves 1931.

Wren, Christopher. 1632-1723. English architect. Anglicized Classicism based on French and Dutch influence. Rebuilt 50 churches after 1666 London fire. St. Paul’s 1675. Greenwich Observatory 1675. Associated with craftsmanship of Tijou, Gibbons, Thornhill, Cibber. Sheldonian Theatre 1662. Trinity College Library 1676.

Wyat’s Insurrection. 1554. Failed march on London vs Mary’s marriage to Philip II of Spain. Wyat (son of Thomas Wyat) beheaded.

Xanthos, Sieges. Lycians defend against: 546BC Persians. 43BC Romans. Residents commit mass suicide both times. Asia Minor.

Xenophon. 431-350BC. Greek general/historian. Expedition of Ten Thousand. Anabasis. Hellenica.

Young, Thomas. 1773-1829. English physicist. Wave interference of light 1801.

Zealots. Jewish sect. Led revolt vs Rome 66-70. Used terrorism, assassination of those friendly to Rome. Masada.

Zephyr. Greek mythological west wind.