Boulle, Pierre. 1912-94. French novelist. Bridge on the River Kwai 1952.

Bourgeoisie. French merchant, craft class. Marxist term for those who do not live by the sale of their labour. Proletariat.

Boveri, Theodor. 1864-1915. German cytologist. Chromosomes, 1904.

Bowditch, Nathaniel. 1773-1838. US self-educated astronomer, mathematician. New American Practical Navigator 1802.

Bowdler, Thomas. 1754-1825. English publisher of expurgated Family Shakespeare 1818.

Bowring, Treaty. 1855. Opened Siam to British trade.

Boyacá, Battle. 1819. South American rebels win independence from New Granada from Spain. Bolivar. Santander.

Boyne, Battle. 1690. James II attempts to retake throne; defeated by William III, ending Catholic Stuart power in Ireland. Celebrated by Orangemen, Jul 12.

Bradlaugh, Charles. 1833-91. Radical atheist MP, 1880-. Oath Act, permitting affirmation for swearing in.

Brady, Matthew. c1823-96. US Civil War photographer.

Bragg, William. 1862-1942. English discoverer of crystallography by x-ray diffraction. with son Lawrence (1890-1971).

Brahma. Vedic Hindu god with Vishnu, Siva. Creator.

Brahmavihara. Brahman heaven, attained by sympathy, compassion, joy, equanimity.

Braille, Louis. 1809-1852. French inventor of raised alphabet for the blind, 1824.

Braithwaite. 1829. First steam fire engine.

Brant, Joseph. 1742-1807. Indian chief allied with British in American Revolution.

Braque, Georges. 1882-1963. French painter. Developed Cubism with Picasso. First living artist in Louvre. Man with Guitar 1911.

Brecht, Bertolt. 1898-1956. German experimental dramatist: Threepenny Opera 1928. Mother Courage.

Breitenfeld, Battles. 1631,42. Swedish victories over Catholic League in 30 Years War. Sweden a great power.

Brendan, St. 484-578. Celtic abbot, legendary Atlantic navigator to North America.

Brethren, Church. 1708. German/US Pacifist Christian church.

Breviary of Alaric. 506. Visigoth law code.

British East India Company. 1600-1858. For trade with Asia. Took political control.

British Empire. 1500-1997. Britain, its colonies and protectorates. Commonwealth.

British Museum. World’s largest museum. Building 1823-52. Founded 1753 from Sloane Collection legacy. Elgin Marbles. Rosetta Stone.

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