Bryson•s Dictionary for Writers and Editors

Van Alen, William / Vecchio, Palazzo � 349
Van Alen, William. (1883–1954) American architect who designed
Chrysler Building, New York. Note unusual spelling of Alen.
Vanbrugh, Sir John. (1664–1726) English architect and playwright.
Van Buren, Martin. (1782–1862) U.S. president (1837–1841).
Van de Graaff, Robert J(emison). (1901–1967) American physicist and
inventor of the Van de Graaff generator.
van der Post, Sir Laurens. (1906–1996) South African writer and explorer.
Vandross, Luther. (1951–2005) American entertainer.
Vandyke (or Van Dyck), Sir Anthony. (1599–1641) Born Anton Van
Dijck, but that spelling is almost never encountered outside his
native Belgium. In America his name is usually rendered as Sir
Anthony Vandyke, though Van Dyck (the spelling favored in
Britain) is also sometimes found. In both countries, objects associated
with him are spelled Vandyke—e.g., “a Vandyke beard,”
“a Vandyke collar.”
Vänern. Largest lake in Sweden.
van Eyck, Jan. (c. 1380–1440) Flemish painter.
van Gogh, Vincent. (1853–1890) Dutch painter.
Vanuatu. Island republic in the South Pacific, formerly the New Hebrides;
capital Port-Vila (or Port Vila, without hyphen).
vaquero. Spanish for “cowboy.”
Vargas, Getúlio Dornelles. (1883–1954) President of Brazil (1930–1945,
1951–1954).
varicella. Medical name for chickenpox.
varicose veins.
variegated.
various different is inescapably repetitive.
VDU. Visual display unit, a computer screen.
Veblen, Thorstein. (1857–1929) American economist.
Vecchio, Palazzo, Florence, Italy. The famous bridge across the Arno
is the Ponte Vecchio.