Webb, Matthew. 1848-83. English. First to swim across English Channel, 1875.

West, Nathanael. 1903-40. US novelist. Absurd, black humour. Miss Lonelyhearts 1933. Day of the Locusts 1939.

Wharton, Edith. 1862-1937. US novelist. Ethan Frome 1911. Age of Innocence 1920.

Whitney, Eli. 1765-1825. US inventor. Cotton gin, 1793. Mass production with interchangeable parts 1801.

Whittington, Richard. 1358-1423. London Lord Mayor. Legend of merchant selling his cat for fortune to rat- plagued Moroccan ruler, he marries merchant’s daughter, becomes Lord Mayor.

Williams, Ralph Vaughan. Vaughan Williams.

Winckelmann, Johann. 1717-68. German archeologist, art historian. History of Art of Antiquity 1764. Modern archeology.

Witt, Johan de. 1625-72. Dutch statesman. Rebuilt navy. Led Dutch Wars. Triple Alliance 1668. Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Killed by Orangist mob.

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.

Wright, Wilbur. 1867-1912, Orville. 1871-1948. Aviation pioneer. First sustained controlled heavier than air flight, 1903.

Wyclif(fe), John. c1330-84. English religious reformer. Lollard leader. Advocated religion from within rather than mechanical practice. Began First English translation of bible.

Wyeth, Andrew. 1917-2009. US realist painter. Christina’s World 1948.

Xanadu. (To-lun). 1256. Mongol Kublai Khan’s summer capital.

Xenophanes. c560-478BC. Greek poet. Founded Eleatics. Change is an illusion. Monotheist.

Yellow Turban Rebellion. 184-204. Chinese secret society vs Emperor. Fall of Han dynasty. Ts’ao Ts’ao.

Yüan. 1279-1368. Chinese Mongol dynasty founded by Kublai Khan. Grand Canal. Postal system. Marco Polo.

Zakkai, Johann ben. 2C founder of Rabbinic Judaism.

Zama, Battle. 202BC. Rome defeats Hannibal near Carthage. Punic Wars.