The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1755-1805
French chemist and inventor famous for developing an improved pencil in 1795, and whose manufacturing method was still the basis of the twentieth-century pencil industry. Nicolas Jacques Conte's pencils, which combined clay with graphite in variable proportions to adjust for hardness and darkness, replaced pure graphite pencils whose contents were in high demand due to a supply blockade. Conté had a special talent for inventions, lending his skills to improving Napoleon Bonaparte's military balloons and building the first engraving machine in 1803.