Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 10.djvu/425

LEFT WIGHT, ISLE OF 365 WILDE she studied the kindergarten system in Los Angeles; later, she taught a year in Santa Barbara College; then went to San Francisco, where she organized the first free kindergarten in the West. In 1880 she organized the California Kin- dergarten Training School, with her sister Nora A. Smith, and Mrs. S. B. Cooper. In 1880 she married S. B. Wig- gin, a lawyer, and they moved to New York, where Mr. Wiggin died in 1889. In 1895 Mrs. Wiggin married George C. Riggs. She wrote many stories and books on and for the kindergai-ten, among them being "The Story of Patsy," "The Birds' Christmas Carol," "Polly Oliver's Problem," "The Story Hour," and "Kindei-garten Principles and Prac- tice." Her novels, which attained wide popularity, include "Penelope's Progress," and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." She received the degree of Litt. D. from Bowdoin College. WIGHT. ISLE OF, an island off the S. coast of England; in the county of Hants; separated from the mainland by Spithead and the Solent; 23 miles in length, 13 miles broad; area, 93,341 acres. The main slope of the island is to the N., as is shown by the course of its chief streams, the Medina, Yar, and Eastern Yar. A range of chalk downs, which cross the island from E. to W. and form excellent sheep walks, sepa- rate it into two districts somewhat dif- ferent in character. The general appear- ance is picturesque, and the geology of the island is interesting. The air is re- markably mild, and the district known as the Undercliff, lying along the S. coast, and completely sheltered from the N., has long been a resort for invalids. The Isle of Wight is represented in Parliament by one member. The chief towns are Newport (the capital), Ryde, Cowes, Ventnor, Bembridge, Freshwater, Yarmouth, and the fashionable health re- sorts of Sandown and Shanklin. Near Cowes is Osborne House, which was a favorite residence of Queen Victoria. Carisbrooke Castle is an interesting ruin. Pop. about 85,000. WILBERFORCE, WILLIAM, an English philanthropist; born in Hull, England, Aug. 24, 1759. After complet- ing his education at St. John's College, Cambridge, he was, in 1780, elected to Parliament for his native town; and in 1784 he was returned by the county of York. In 1786 he made the acquaint- ance of Clarkson, who gained his sym- pathies on behalf of the agitation against the slave trade. In 1791 he moved for leave to bring in a bill to prevent fur- ther importation of African negroes into Cyc the British colonies. Year after year he pressed this measure, but was always defeated till 1807, when it was passed during the short administration of Fox. He then devoted his energies to bring about the total abolition of slavery, and three days before his death he was in- formed that the House of Commons had passed a bill which extinguished slavery in the British colonies. He died in Cado- gan Place, London, July 29, 1833. WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY, a coeducational institution in Wilberforce, O.; for colored students; founded in 1856 under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church; reported at the close of 1919: Professors and instructors, 42; students, 600; president, W, S. Scar- borough, LL. D. WILBROD. or WILLIBROD, ST., born in the Saxon kingdom of Northum- bria, about 657; generally called "The Apostle of the Friesians." He was a monk of Wilfred's monastery, at Ripon, and about 677 went to Ireland to preach Christianity. In 690 he went to Utrecht, and having, after great exertions, con- verted large numbers of the Friesians to Christianity, he was rewarded with the bishopric of Utrecht by Pope Sergius I. He also preached to the" Danes, and estab- lished the monastery of Echternach, near Treves. He died in 738. He is com- memorated in the Roman Catholic Church on Nov. 7. WILBURITES. a section of American Quakers, named from their leader, John Wilbur, who separated from the main body in the first half of the 19th century on the ground that the Quakers were abandoning their original principles. WILCOX, ELLA WHEELER, an American journalist and poet; born in Johnstown Center, Wis., Nov. 5, 1855. She contributed much to current periodicals and to newspapers and her poems were widely copied. Some of her volumes are: "Maurine" (1882) ; "Poems of Passion" (1883) ; and "Poems of Pleasure" (1888) ; "Drops of Water"; "Sweet Danger"; etc. She also published a novel, "Mai Moulee" (1885) ; and numerous other books. She died Oct. 30, 1919. WILDE, OSCAR (FINGAL O'FLA- HERTIE WILLS), an Irish poet; born in Dublin. Ireland, in 1856. Some of his works are: "Poems" (1880); "The Pic- ture of Dorian Gray," a novel; "The Happy Prince, and Other Tales" (1888) ; "Guido Ferranti" (1890), and "The Duchess of Padua," tragedies; "Inten- tions," essays (1891); "Lord Arthur Savile's Crimes, and Other Stories" (1891); "Ladv Windermere's Fan," "A 24 Vol. X