ALLEN, VIOLA, an American actress. She was educated in New York and at the age of 15 began her stage career. She became one of the most prominent players on the American stage, appearing in Shakespearean roles and in many of the most successful modern plays. In 1906 she married Peter Duryea.
ALLEN, WILLIAM HENRY, an American educator, born March 27, 1808; educated at Bowdoin College; served several colleges as Professor of Latin, Greek, Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, and English Literature; President of Girard College, Philadelphia (1850-1862 and 1867-1882); and President of the American Bible Society from 1872 till his death. Aug. 29, 1882.
ALLENBY, LORD EDMUND, 1st Viscount, a British commander, born April 23, 1861; chose army as profession and served in the campaigns in Bechuanaland, 1884-1885; Zululand, 1888; South African War, 1899-1902. At the outbreak of the World War, commanded the cavalry of the expeditionary forces. He did brilliant work on the western front, and later was given the chief command of the Palestinian forces. As the outcome of a vigorous campaign, Jerusalem was captured Dec. 10, 1917. After a rest and refitting of his army, he inaugurated a campaign of dazzling brilliancy on Sept. 19, 1918. Within two days he captured 80,000 prisoners and 500 guns, and put to rout three Turkish armies. On Oct. 1 Damascus fell, Beirut was captured on the 8th, and on October 26 the British armies entered Aleppo. The Turkish power was utterly crushed, and shortly afterward made overtures for an armistice. In the following year Allenby was sent to Egypt to take charge of the military forces then engaged in suppressing the Egyptian Nationalist uprising. In this he was successful. On his return to England he was rendered an ovation and promoted to the rank of Field-Marshal in recognition of his distinguished services.
ALLENSTEIN (al´en-stīn), a city in the district of Allenstein, province of East Prussia, on the river Alle; founded in 1353; has iron foundries, machine works, match factory, breweries, trade and agricultural schools, cattle, and horse markets, and an insane asylum; trade in linen, hops, and wood. On Feb. 4, 1807, Soult defeated the rear guard of the Russian and Prussian army near the bridge over the Alle, between Allenstein and Gutstadt. Pop. about 35,000. The city was the center of important military operations. It was captured in the Russian advance in August, 1914, but was soon retaken by the Germans. Near by occurred the famous battle of Tannenberg, in the last week of August, 1914. See WORLD WAR.
ALLENTOWN, city and county-seat of Lehigh co.. Pa.; on the Lehigh river and canal and several railroads; 60 miles N. of Philadelphia. It is built on high ground and is surrounded by a beautiful and fertile country. The city is noted for its manufactories, which include blast furnaces, iron and steel rolling mills, wire works, hosiery and thread factories, silk works, and furniture and shoe factories. Allentown is the seat of Muhlenberg College (Lutheran). It has gas and electric light plants, several National banks, and daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals. Pop. (1910) 51,913; (1920) 73,502.
ALL-HALLOWS' EVE, the 31st of October, the evening before All-Hallows. Till recently it was kept up (especially in Scotland) with ceremonies which have apparently come down from druidical times. Though connected with All-Saints' Day (1st of November), yet it seems to have been formerly a merry making to celebrate the end of autumn, and help to fortify the mind against the advent of winter.
ALLIANCE, a city in Stark co., O.; on the Mahoning river and the Alliance and Northern and the Pennsylvania Co.'s railroads; 56 miles S. E. of Cleveland. It is in an agricultural region; is the seat of Mount Union College
