Bentham, Jeremy. 1748-1832. English Utilitarian philosopher, jurist. Principles of Morals and Legislation 1789. Fragment on Government 1776.“Greatest happiness for the greatest number”.

Bentley, Richard. 1662-1742. English classical scholar. Restored texts. Editions of Horace, Terence, Aesop.

Berbers. Caucasian North African peoples, mostly Moslem. Nomadic since 12C Arab invasions. Almohads. Almoravids. Barbary.

Berg, Alban. 1885-1935. Austrian opera composer. Adopted 12-note method. Atonal-tonal fusion. Wozzeck 1925.

Bergson, Henri. 1859-1941. Philosopher. Creative Evolution 1907. The life force. Vitalism.

Berkeley, George. 1685-1753. Irish immaterialist philosopher: reality exists only in the eye of God; for man, only when perceived. Principles of Knowledge 1710.

Berlin, Irving. 1888-1989. Russian/US popular composer. White Christmas, Annie Get Your Gun 1946.

Berlin Wall. 1961-89. Soviet troops erect. US guarantees West Berlin’s freedom.

Berliner, Emil. 1851-1929. Microphone 1877. Disk phonograph record 1887.

Bernard of Chartres. -c1130. French Neoplatonic Idealist philosopher. Real world of eternal ideas vs apparent world of material objects.

Bernardin de St. Pierre, Jacques. 1737-1814. French writer. Propagated JJ Rousseau’s back to nature philosophy. Paul et Virginie 1788.

Besant, Annie. 1847-1933. English Theosophist. Founded Indian Home Rule League 1916.

Bevin, Ernest. 1881-1951. British labour leader, statesman. TUC. Initiated Colombo Plan.

Bishop, Henry. 1786-1855. English song composer: Home Sweet Home 1821.

Bishops’ Wars. 1639. Scots vs Charles’ Anglicanism. 1640. Covenanters force Charles to call Long Parliament.

Black Hundreds. 1905-9. Russian movement. Opposed revolution. Persecuted Jews-50,000 dead.

Black War. 1804-30. Tasmanian natives defeated by European settlers.

Blanc, Louis. 1811-82. French Utopian Socialist. Theory of equal wages. National Workshops. Organization du Travail 1839.

Blavatsky, Helena. 1831-91. Founded Theosophical Society, 1875.

Blitz. 1940-41. Popular name for Battle of Britain.

Blondin, Charles. 1824-97. French tightrope walker over Niagara, 1859.

Bloody Week. 1871. Paris Commune toppled. 20,000 dead.

Blow, John. 1649-1708. Westminster organist. First English opera, Venus and Adonis 1685.

Bodin, Jean. 1530-96. French political philosopher. Advocated democratic monarchy.

Boeotian League. 550-335BC. Federal government formed by Thebes. Opposed Sparta in Corinthian War. Defeated by Philip of Macedonia, 338. Destroyed by Alexander the Great, 335.

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