1. A method for acquiring structured facts to populate a knowledge representation system (KRS), the method comprising the steps of: defining and organizing the KRS as an ontology that comprises classes comprising properties and at least one sub-ontology comprising a hierarchical taxonomy of terms, wherein the properties of a class are terms in the taxonomy; creating at least one computerized template, the template accepting a predetermined type of fact, wherein the type of fact comprises components representing properties of the classes and wherein the template formats the predetermined type of fact to be consistent with the organization of the classes and taxonomy of the ontology; acquiring at least one structured fact from a predetermined knowledge source by selecting and completing the template via a user interface with information found in the predetermined knowledge source; and inserting the at least one structured fact into the KRS to create a knowledge base.