An umbrella is a light, portable screen usually circular and supported on a central stick. They are used as protection against the rain and also sun - in which case they are usually refered to as a sunshade or parasol. Umbrellas are made of fabric, silk, paper, cotton or other materials stretched on a steel or wooden, radiating, folding frame supported on a central stick.
Umbrellas were known in England in the 17th century, but their use does not appear to have been general until the later part of the 18th century, Jonas Hanway being one of the first to make a habit of acrrying an umbrella.
By the invention of the 'Paragon' ribs, Samuel Fox, in 1852, improved upon the old umbrellas with wooden ribs, and did much tostimulate the trade of umbrella, making, among the chief centres of which were London, Manchester, Paris, Lyons, and Angers.
In the East, umbrellas were used as symbols of royalty and power from early times. In ancient Egypt and Nineveh sculptured remains show them carried in procession, and they are found pictured on Greek vases. Anglo-Saxon manuscripts show them carried by attendants over persons of rank. The Maratha princes of India were known as Lords of the Umbrella, and in Burma white umbrellas were reserved for the use of the king and the sacred white elephant; coloured ones, graduated according to their tint, belonged to corresponding grades in rank. The baldachin , the canopy of a throne or a pulpit, has the same original symbolical meaning as the umbrella. Research Umbrella
Arthur Wellelsley (first Duke of Wellington) was an Irish-born English soldier and politician. He was born in 1769 at Dublin and died in 1852. He was a younger son of Garrett Wesley, the first earl of Mornington. Educated at Eton, military school and at Angers in 1787 he entered the 73rd Highlanders and in 1793 became a lieutenant-colonel in the 33rd Regiment of Foot. In 1814 he conducted the campaign against France, after which he was made Duke of Wellington and sent to France as ambassador. Hearing of Napoleon's escape from Elba, he took command of the British army and defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. From 1815 to 1818 he commanded the international army of occupation in France, making him very unpopular in France and a target for several assassination attempts. In 1818 he began his career as a Tory politician, and in 1828 became prime minister, resigning in 1830. Research Duke Of Wellington
Francois Bernier was a French physician and traveller. He was born in 1625 at Angers and died in 1688 at Paris. He set out on his travels in 1654, and visited Egypt, India and Palestine, spending twelve years in India as the physician to the Great Mogul Emperor Aurangzib. After his return to France he published his Travels, an abridgment of the philosophy of Gassendi, a Treatise on Freedom and Will, and other works. Research Francois Bernier
Pierre Jean David was a French sculptor. He was born in 1789 at Angers in 1789 (hence he is commonly called David d'Angers) and died in 1856. He went to Paris when he was very young, and became the pupil of Jacques Louis David, and in 1809 a prize obtained from the Academy enabled him to pursue his studies at Rome, where he formed a friendship with Canova. On his return to Paris he laid the foundation of his fame by a colossal statue of the great Conde in marble.
He visited Germany twice, in 1828 and 1834, and executed busts of Goethe for Weimar, of Schelling for Munich, of Tieck for Dresden, of Rauch and Humboldt for Berlin. In 1831 he began the magnificent sculptures of the Pantheon, his most important work, which he finished in 1837. He executed a great number of medallions, busts, and statues of celebrated persons of all countries, among whom we may mention Walter Scott, Canning, George Washington, Lafayette, Guttenberg, Cuvier, Victor Hugo, Beranger, Paganini, and Madame de Stael. Research Pierre David
Gaby Morlay (real name Blanche Fumoleau) was a French actress and film producer. She was born in 1893 at Angers, France and died in 1964. Research Gaby Morlay
Abbreviations
Research Umbrella
