Encyclopedia Britannica

One in 10 Brits believe the "Mona Lisa" was painted by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh, according to a new survey by Encyclopedia Britannica of 500 adults. Only half of those asked could correctly identify Leonardo da Vinci as the painter of one of the world's most recognized images. ---------- Edited by Lara Weber (lweber@tribune.com) and Michael Morgan (mnmorgan@tribune.com)

Frank Crowl, Retired Executive Vice President of Encyclopedia Britannica, 86, Britannica executive through its most profitable years, died on May 27 at his home in Monarch Beach, CA. Mr. Crowl was Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales Support at his retirement in 1991 after a thirty-year career with the company which he said, "has the greatest product anyone could market." His innovations in marketing, sales administration and product support all contributed to the great years of Britannica when...

Francis S. Nipp, age 88, beloved husband of the late Rita, nee Mayfield; dear father of Patricia Meadows of Powder Springs, GA and Frances Sellers of Blue Island, IL; proud grandfather of Tracy Nehls, Erin Calabrese, Dana Pullam, Julie Stafford and Wesley Sellers and great-grandfather of 13. He was a professor and retired editor for Encyclopedia Britannica. Mr. Nipp donated his body to the Anatomical Gift Association for medical study.

Adrienne M. Ohanian, 76, of Chicago, on April 14. Devoted daughter of the lateZarouhy (Edward) Athanas and Thomas Ohanian; beloved sister of the late Marge (Larry) Mefford, Paul Ohanian and Yvonne Griswold; loving sister-in-law of JudyOhanian and Bill Griswold; "Auntie A" to Pam (Dave) Wilson, Laurie Mefford, Kyle (Tom) Nine, Alison (Art) Velasquez, Patricia(Peter) Lundstrom and Bill (Mary Pat)Griswold; adoring great-aunt to 12 nieces and nephews; dear friend of Mary and Bill York.

Paul T. Armstrong, age 84, of Oak Park, Veteran U.S. Navy WWII, retired Vice President and Treasurer of Encyclopedia Britannica, beloved husband of the late Margaret, nee Bain; loving father of Paul M. (Linda), Philip M. (Kathy), David F. (Diane), Larry and Ellen M. (Richard) Wilkie; devoted grandfather of Matthew and Peter Armstrong, Kate and Joe Armstrong, Emily, John, Katherine and Charles Wilkie. Visitation Sunday 4 to 9 p.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St., Oak Park.

A short item such as this one won't allow me to do justice to the richness of the material. So instead, I'll just point you to the Web 2.0 forum on the Encyclopedia Britannica blog (yes, even encyclopedias have blogs these days). In it (blogs.britannica.com/blog/main/category/web-20-forum/), a number of prominent writers debate and discuss where the Internet might be leading us in terms of scholarship, copyright, expertise and individual versus collective authority. The discussion is kicked off by Michael...

Catherine M. Cahill, age 87, of Forest Park, formerly of Glen Ellyn, dear sister of Adele J., Mildred Y. and William R. (Betty) Cahill and the late Lorraine J. Cools and Dorothy J. Jochum; fond aunt of many. Visitation Tuesday 3 to 9 p.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St., Oak Park. Funeral Wednesday 9:30 a.m. going to St. Luke Church for Mass at 10 a.m. Interment St. Michael Cemetery, Wheaton. 46 year employee of Encyclopedia Britannica, Chicago. Funeral info, 708-383-3191 .

Virginia A. Stenberg, longtime director of the Library Research Service at Encyclopedia Britannica, died Feb. 17, 2007 at the age of 88 after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. Born in Chicago and raised in Evanston, Virginia graduated from Evanston Township High School. She matriculated at Smith College where her dedication to scholarship earned her distinction on the Dean's List all four years. Her wide interests and desire to take advantage of all Smith had to offer was reflected in her...

Andrew B. Hunsick, age 86, ofSkokie, dedicated employee of Encyclopedia Britannica for 40 years, dear husband of the late Josephine L. Calderone; loving father of Andrew L. and Robert; brother of the late John, Steve, Rose Sellars, Bertha Tippy and George Hunsick; fond uncle of many nieces and nephews; loving friend to Thomas Schrubbe. Funeral Thursday 10:15 a.m. from Haben Funeral Home, 8057 Niles Center Rd, Skokie. Mass 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Church, Skokie. Interment All Saints Mausoleum.

Lawrence D. Kowalski, 63 of Evanston, died February 8, 2006. A longtime editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Husband of the late Necia Kowalski; brother of Kenneth Kowalski of Cleveland Heights, OH, Janice K. Lehmann of Madison, WI, Dennis Kowalski of Iowa City, IA and Sharon (Jim) Borg of Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Valley of the Kings Sanctuary, W7593 Townhall Road, Sharon, WI 53585, or National Public Radio. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, 847-234-0022

Frank J. Matuz, beloved son of the late Frank Sr. and Emily, nee Bleskin; loving brother of Rochelle (Gene) Okonski, John (Susan), David (Anna), Rosemary and the late Pauline (Henry) Seehoffer; dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. Retired employee of Encyclopedia Britannica. Funeral Thursday, 9:45 a.m. fromOtto V. Stransky& Son Funeral Home, 5112 S. Western Ave., to St. Clare of Montefalco Church for 10:30 a.m. Mass. Interment Elm Lawn Cemetery. Visitation 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

William Peltz, 93, of Altamonte Springs, FL, formerly of Wilmette, passed away Jan. 13, 2004. Beloved husband of Patricia, nee Carlin for 51 years; loving father of Sandy (Ron) Brown, Alan (Carol) Peltz, Kathy (Chris) Picone and Patty (Charlie) Johnson; cherished grandfather of nine; and great-grandfather of two. Graduate of the Art Institute. Worked as a director/film producer of Educational films at Encyclopedia Britannica in Chicago for many years and was extremely active in a variety of sports and was...

Lawrence D. Kowalski, 63 of Evanston, died February 8, 2006. A longtime editor of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Husband of the late Necia Kowalski; brother of Kenneth Kowalski of Cleveland Heights, OH, Janice K. Lehmann of Madison, WI, Dennis Kowalski of Iowa City, IA and Sharon (Jim) Borg of Lake Forest. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Valley of the Kings Sanctuary, W7593 Townhall Road, Sharon, WI 53585, or National Public Radio. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, 847-234-0022

Alan Rodger Mitchell, of River Forest, passed away on December 9, 2000, husband of Catherine "Bette"; uncle of Jane Gralen, Mary Ann Walsh, Johanna Ward, Janet Parker, David Southworth and Dale Southworth; great-uncle of many nieces and nephews. Alan was a WWII Veteran, U.S. Army and served in Italy. He was a former 10-year employee of Encyclopedia Britannica where he met Bette, and he retired from Sears Roebuck and Company. Memorial visitation Wednesday, December 13, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Drechsler Brown and Williams...