Quick edit on Wikipedia backs up British politician's 'fact' about painter

LONDON - When checking facts on Wikipedia, it helps to know who edited the entry last.

In their weekly debate yesterday in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and would-be prime minister David Cameron clashed over - of all things - how old the Renaissance painter Titian was when he died. Titian came up as Cameron asserted that Brown never got his facts right.

"You told us the other day you were like Titian, aged 90. The fact is Titian died at 86," the Conservative Party leader said.

Within minutes, a Wikipedia user registered at Conservative Party headquarters logged on and changed Titian's date of death from 1576 to 1572.

A party spokesman blamed the editing on "an overeager member of staff putting right an incorrect entry on Wikipedia."

Brown brought up Titian last month as he discussed the global economy. "I'm reminded of the story of Titian, who's the great painter who reached the age of 90, finished the last of his nearly 100 brilliant paintings" and said, "'I'm finally beginning to learn how to paint." Scholars are unsure at what age Titian died. So who was right? By yesterday, the date had been changed back to 1576. But log on again today.