Strange Sides of Famous People Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which famous scientist, after his/her spouse had died and just as he/she was receiving his/her second Nobel Prize, had an illicit and very public affair with another scientist?

Answer: Marie Curie

After Madam Curie was widowed, she began an infamous affair with the then married Paul Langevin, a fellow scientist. The French newspaper "Le Journal de Paris" ran a headline reading "A Story of Love, Mme. Curie and Professor Langevin" in November 1911.

Many of Curie's colleagues thought that she was awarded a second Nobel Prize out of sympathy for her being hated by the French public rather than scientific achievement. For more information, see the website http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/m_r/rich/mariecurie.htm.

2. After being beaten and sexually assaulted by Turkish soldiers in 1917, this famous soldier developed a compulsion to be beaten severely and regularly. He even paid a young admirer to beat him his bare back and buttocks.

Answer: T. E. Lawrence

T. E. Lawrence (1888-1935) known as "Lawrence of Arabia", said that while being brutally assaulted by the Turks that he experienced "a delicious warmth, probably sexual ..." ("Seven Pillars of Wisdom" 1922, p. 480., by T. E. Lawrence). There are at least three editions of the text and this statement, which was regarded with amazement and horror by some of his friends, was omitted from later versions. For details of the various editions see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Pillars_of_Wisdom

3. This U. S. President engaged in a continuous series of "private parties" with women who were not his spouse.

Answer: John F. Kennedy

President Kennedy's "companions" included maids and secretaries. Most famously and controversially, he is linked to Marilyn Monroe. One of his women said that "He did not perceive women as human beings, or even objects of affection. He had a real need to capture and dominate." His good friend Senator George Smathers said, "There is no question about the fact that Jack had the most active libido of any man I've ever known."

4. Who came close to being permanently grounded as an unsafe pilot after four bailouts and crackups as a barnstormer before aviation officials relented and allowed this pilot complete a flight which set a new world's record?

Answer: Charles Lindbergh

Lindbergh set a world's record in 1927 by crossing the Atlantic Ocean solo non-stop. He later outraged most Americans when he championed the Nazi cause and expressed concern that the United States had been "infiltrat[ed] by inferior blood."

5. Which United States "founding father" waived being paid a salary and instead insisted that he be paid "expenses" which resulted in payments of over $448,000 between 1775 and 1783 (almost $400,000 more than the original salary he had been offered)?

Answer: George Washington

The costs for Washington's military, diplomatic and social functions as the "commander in chief" during the American Revolutionary War vastly exceeded the $500 per month offered to him. Upon being elected President in 1789, he again offered to work for "expenses" only. Congress wisely refused and instead paid him $25,000 per year in salary.

6. Which early religious reformer was famous for his "intolerance" despite being regarded as a major player in the history of Christianity?

Answer: Martin Luther

In 1525, when the German peasants staged an uprising demanding basic rights, Luther published a diatribe entitled "Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants." Luther also said that "Jews should be deported to Palestine, or at the very least, that their synagogues be burned and all their books be confiscated."

7. Which famous person took his/her first job as a schoolteacher in Concord, Massachusetts and, when told that he/she should cane his/her students, he/she flogged six students at random and then turned in his/her resignation?

Answer: Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau (1817-1862) ran a relaxed classroom and he was liked by his students (at least the ones he did not cane for no reason at all!).

8. Which American inventor thought that "ethics had no place in business" and paid his employees the lowest possible wages and insisted that they work long hours under unsafe and chaotic conditions?

Answer: Thomas Edison

Edison seemed unaware of the existence of his own family and both of his wives suffered from severe depressions. His eldest son, Thomas Edison, Jr., became an alchoholic and a hypochondriac who committed suicide.

9. Which famous explorer was ruthless in "rewarding" the people who helped him?

Answer: Robert Peary

Peary wrote a book entitled "Northward over the Great Ice" which recorded his early Arctic travels. He included a naked photo of his beautiful Eskimo mistress, Allakasignwah, taken while bathing. They had a son together while his wife and daughters remained behind in the United States.

Peary also treated his 22 year devoted assistant Matthew Hensen badly by unceremoniously dismissing him. Hensen had carried Peary part of the way to the North Pole. Hensen outlived Peary by 35 years.

10. Which widely admired humanitarian was willing to let patients and staff eat protein deficient meals and use water from contaminated wells?

Answer: Albert Schweitzer

Schweitzer believed that his own health and diet was more important and conducted his dealings with his African staff and patients as a "benign dictatorship." He is quoted as saying "Simple people need simple healing methods." Despite his behavior, Schweitzer is widely regarded as a selfless humanitarian doctor, theologian and musician.

Source: Author lfhaines

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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You tell me who is being referred to in the following questions. Sometimes what you think you know about people is only part of the story. Have fun.

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