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The Elephant Man Trivia Quiz

A familiarity with the 1980 movie may be of some benefit but this quiz is based primarily on written accounts of The Elephant Man.

A multiple-choice quiz by ripper1. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
ripper1

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
154,649

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
1185

Last 3 plays: Guest 184 (3/10), Guest 172 (4/10), Guest 190 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What was the full name of The Elephant Man? Hint

John Merrick

John Carey Merrick

Joseph John Merrick

Joseph Carey Merrick

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Question 2 of 10

2. When did The Elephant Man make his debut as a professional side-show attraction? Hint

1883

1887

1885

1884

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who was the first doctor to come across The Elephant Man? Hint

John Bland-Sutton

Wilfred Grenfell

Frederick Treves

Reginald Tuckett

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Question 4 of 10

4. According to Merrick, when did symptons of his deformity begin to manifest themselves? Hint

at birth

he had no recollection of the onset of the disease

when he was nine-years-old

when he was five-years-old

5. By age fifteen Merrick was living in the streets of Leicester "hawking haberdashery" in order to make a living. Two years later he was deprived of this job when his hawker's licence was revoked. Why was this done? Hint

because he could not pay the annual licence fee

because his appearance attracted too much attention

because he failed to show proof of licence when requested

because his licence was obtained by and issued to his father

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Elephant Man was questioned as a possible suspect in the Whitechapel Murders.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Joseph Merrick met many socialites, actors and members of the royal family during his stay at The London Hospital. Who was his first royal visitor? Hint

Duke of Clarence

Duke of Cambridge

Princess of Wales

Queen Victoria

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Question 8 of 10

8. A short time after a member of the royal family visited Merrick in The London Hospital he received a package from Marlborough House, the official royal residence. What was in the package? Hint

a dressing case - minus the mirror

a signed photograph

a thank you card

a leather bound volume of "Romeo and Juliet"

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Joseph Merrick died of natural causes.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. How old was Joseph Merrick at the time of his death? Hint

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 10 2024 : Guest 184: 3/10
Mar 30 2024 : Guest 172: 4/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 190: 2/10
Mar 09 2024 : sabbaticalfire: 3/10
Mar 09 2024 : Guest 143: 5/10
Feb 28 2024 : Guest 78: 1/10
Feb 26 2024 : Guest 194: 4/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the full name of The Elephant Man?

Answer: Joseph Carey Merrick

Because Frederick Treves called him "John", most subsequent references to Merrick have continued to call him this in error.

2. When did The Elephant Man make his debut as a professional side-show attraction?

Answer: 1884

Merrick began his career in the Whitechapel District of London in November 1884.

3. Who was the first doctor to come across The Elephant Man?

Answer: John Bland-Sutton

Tuckett was Frederick Treve's house surgeon and the one who first told Treves about The Elephant Man. However, it was John Bland-Sutton from the Middlesex Hospital who was the first physician to actually view Merrick.

4. According to Merrick, when did symptons of his deformity begin to manifest themselves?

Answer: when he was five-years-old

Merrick states, "It was not perceived much at birth, but began to develop itself when at the age of five years".

Answer: because his appearance attracted too much attention

The Commissioners for Hackney Carriages revoked his licence due to his disturbing appearance, saying that they were acting in the best interests of the public.

6. The Elephant Man was questioned as a possible suspect in the Whitechapel Murders.

Answer: False

In the midst of the murders, Merrick was residing in Whitechapel at The London Hospital. This fact, combined with the public belief that "Jack The Ripper" was a "monster", did cause Merrick's name to come up during the investigation. However, there is no evidence to suggest that he was ever officially questioned or viewed as a viable suspect.

7. Joseph Merrick met many socialites, actors and members of the royal family during his stay at The London Hospital. Who was his first royal visitor?

Answer: Princess of Wales

While performing an official ceremony at The London Hospital in May 1887, the Princess of Wales requested an introduction to her most loyal subject, Joseph Merrick.

8. A short time after a member of the royal family visited Merrick in The London Hospital he received a package from Marlborough House, the official royal residence. What was in the package?

Answer: a signed photograph

While visting Merrick, the Princess of Wales noted that he had many signed photos adorning his mantle and wanted to add to his collection.

9. Joseph Merrick died of natural causes.

Answer: False

Although the progression of his disease was swift and his time was at hand, Merrick's death came as a result of "asphyxia". Wanting to "sleep like other people", he reclined on his bed which caused his neck to break. He suffocated due to the weight of his head.

10. How old was Joseph Merrick at the time of his death?

Answer: 27

Although in his autobiography Merrick claimed to be born in 1860, court records registered his birth on August 5, 1862. He died on April 11, 1890.

Source: Author ripper1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Lanni before going online.
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