WARD'S BOOK OF EPONYMS Who gave their names to what If you have ever wondered who gave their names to things and places, you will find the answer here. You can read about John Sandwich, George Dallas, Gustave Eiffel, James of York (New York), Clarence Birds-Eye, Charles Baltimore and many many others.

This is Ward's Book of Eponyms where you will find a large list of people who had things named after them. This page is devoted to things named after people whose name begins with the letter: V

vandal The Vandals were a savage Germanic tribe that threatened the late Roman Empire in the fifth century. Hordes of Vandals ravaged Gaul, modern day France, Spain, and Italy. In 455 A.D. they sacked Rome and destroyed its artistic treasures. A vandal became a byname for wanton destruction. Veuve Clicquot The House of Clicquot was founded as bankers and wine merchants in Reims in 1794, by Francois Clicquot and his wife Barbe-Nicole Clicquot (1777-1866). Barbe-Nicole was the daughter of a baron, who advanced the capital for the venture. After Francois died in 1805, Barbe-Nicole carried on the business and added the name Veuve (French for widow) to the house name. She went on to perfect the ‘méthode champenoise’ and created her own brand of champagne. In British wine circles her champagne is simply know as ‘The Widow’.   Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot volcano The Roman god of fire was Vulcan. He was worshiped for his gifts of fire to mankind and sacrifices were offered to prevent out breaks of fire in the city. He was also associated with metalwork and blacksmiths. A volcano with lava, steam, and ashes erupting is naturally named after the god of fire. When Charles Goodyear invented a process to strengthen rubber, he called it vulcanization after the Roman god. volt Alessandro Giusseppe Antonio Anastasio Volta (1745–1827), was born in Como, Italy. In his youth he meddled with electrostatic devices and by 1778, was professor of physics at the University of Pavia. Volta became famous after his dispute with Luigi Galvani over the source of electricity. Volta proved his theory of electric charges by inventing the battery, a device where electricity could be stored. Volta received many honours. He was elected to the Royal Society of London and was the first foreigner to receive the Society's Copley Medal. The National Institute of France invited him to lecture there, and Napoleon awarded him the title of count. Victor Hugo recounts that as Napoleon left the hall, he noticed a sign reading ‘Au Grand Voltaire’, to the Great Voltaire, and proceeded to erase the last three letters.

Other letters A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Home page