Pilâtre de Rosier, Jean-François. 1756-85. Physician and balloonist. First ascent 1783 with Montgolfier; First free flight 1783 with d’Arlandes. Killed trying to cross Channel.

Pinkerton, Allan. 1819-84. Scottish/US founder first US detective agency 1850. Foiled plot vs Lincoln 1861.

Pisa, Council. 1409. Elected Alexander V as third pope in failed attempt to end Great Schism.

Pitt, William, the Elder. 1708-78. English statesman, Prime Minister 1756~68. Pursued Seven Years War. “The Great Commoner”.

Plain. Moderate party in French Revolution. Montagnards.

Pliny the Elder. 23-79. Roman naturalist. Died investigating Vesuvius eruption.Historia Naturalis.

Pluto. Greek underworld king = Hades = Orcus = Pater Dis. Planet discovered by Tombaugh, 1930. Disney dog named after planet, 1931.

Pobedonostev, Konstantin. 1827-1907. Russian. professor, tutor to Alexander III, Nicholas II. Pro-autocracy. “Parliaments are the great lie of our time.”

Poe, Edgar Allan. 1809-49. US poet and horror story writer: Tales of the Grotesque 1840. Murders in the Rue Morgue 1841. The Raven 1845.

Poland, Partitions of. 1772 Russia, Prussia, Austria take a third each. 1793 Russia, Prussia invade to restore conservative rule. 1795 After revolt, Austria, Prussia, Russia. divide remainder.

Pol Pot. 1925-98. Cambodian Communist Khmer Rouge leader. Arrested 1997.

Pompidou Centre. Beaubourg. 1972-7. Architects: Rogers and Piano. Paris modernistic art and activity center.

Pope. Head of Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of Rome. Considered the infallible vicar of Christ.

Pope, Alexander. 1688-1744. English satirist, poet and philosopher: On Criticism 1711. Rape of the Lock 1712-4. Essay on Man 1732-4.

Poulenc, Francis. 1899-1963. Modern French composer. Les Six.

Prague Spring. 1968. Czech reforms face Soviet intervention. Dubcek.

Preachers, Order of. = Dominicans.

Pretoria Convention. 1881. Transvaal self-government under British suzerainty.

Pretorius, Andries. 1798-1853. Boer leader of Great Trek. Aided in Transvaal independence.

Prime Minister. =Premier. Head of parliamentary government under the head of state (monarch or president). Walpole (1721-42) considered first British Prime Minister. Richelieu 1624 France. Chancellor.

Primo de Rivera, Miguel. 1879-1930. Spanish fascist dictator 1923- by coup. Ended Moroccan War 1927.

Privateers. 13-19C. Pirates licensed by letters of marque to plunder enemy vessels. Drake. Hawkins.

Procopius the Great. c1380-1434. Bohemian leader in Hussite War.

Prophet. Old Testament Hebrew spiritual leader, divinely inspired spokesperson. Muhammad, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jesus.

Prophet, the. c1768-1834. Shawnee leader, Tecumseh’s brother. Blamed for Tippecanoe.

300 more results ...