Woodward & Lothrop, also known as Woodies, was a prominent department store chain that originated in Washington, D.C. in 1887. Founded by Samuel Walter Woodward and Alvin Mason Lothrop, the chain grew to become a fixture of the city's downtown shopping district, competing with other renowned stores. After experiencing significant growth and expansion, the chain eventually encountered financial challenges and filed for bankruptcy in 1994, leading to its liquidation in 1995. The flagship building, a historic landmark in D.C., became the subject of debate regarding its future use following the chain's demise. Despite various proposals, including a potential conversion into an opera house, the building remained empty for several years until it was ultimately sold to developer Douglas Jemal. The story of Woodward & Lothrop represents an integral part of Washington, D.C.'s retail history and urban development.

The Woodward brothers, Richard Blake Woodward and John Deverell Stewart Woodward, were English missionaries and ornithologists who significantly contributed to the field of ornithology in the southern African region. Born in Bathford, England, they were trained as Anglican missionaries and initially worked in the Americas before moving to Transvaal in the early 1870s. Their missionary activities and expeditions were based in various stations in Zululand and Natal, where they conducted field expeditions and specimen collecting, focusing on the animal life of the region.The brothers' keen interest in the region's animal life led to their publications on observations of various species, including crocodiles, baboons, and leopards. Their primary focus shifted to the birds of the region, leading them to undertake exploratory expeditions to the Lebombo Mountains and Ngoye Forest in Zululand, where they made significant discoveries of bird species. Their ornithological publication, "Natal Birds of 1899," introduced 386 bird species and constituted the first regional list for southern Africa, recording the status of many species.Despite their substantial contributions, the details of their deaths and the whereabouts of their burial sites remain unknown. The Woodward brothers' work remains a significant historical contribution to the field of ornithology and regional conservation in southern Africa.