Definitely Not Dickens Trivia Quiz

Answer: H. Rider Haggard

Published in 1885, at a time when explorers were starting to uncover such wonders as the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and other ancient cultures, this book caught the public imagination and was an immediate success. At the time Africa was largely unexplored, but H.Rider Haggard was able to draw on his own experiences of the continent gained during the Zulu wars and the Boer War.

Answer: The Moonstone

Published in 1868 "The Moonstone" was described by Dorothy L. Sayers as "probably the very finest detective story ever written". It remains a very popular novel and is recognised as the start of English detective fiction. Unfortunately it was also Wilkie Collins' last popular novel as his subsequent books had less thriller content and more social commentary.

Answer: Sexton Blake

The very first Sexton Blake story appeared in "The Halfpenny Marvel" in 1893. From 1894 he appeared primarily in "Union Jack" and then "Detective Weekly".
There have also been radio serialisations, one in 1939 and then again in 1940 and 1967. Several well known authors have contributed to the series, including Francis Durbridge, who adapted the stories for the 1940 radio shows, John Creasy and Michael Moorcock.

Answer: Henry James

"The Bostonians" first appeared in serial form before publication as a complete book in 1868. It deals with the political issue of feminism in America. Although born in America Henry James travelled extensively throughout Europe before settling in England in 1876.

He is one of the Victorian authors who carries forward to the Edwardian era. His best known book is probably "The Ambassadors" published in 1903.

Answer: Harriet Beecher Stowe

Although she will always be remembered for "Uncle Tom's Cabin", Harriet Beecher Stowe was a prolific author. She published more than 20 books, including three novels, travel memoirs and collections of articles and letters. A strong abolitionist and committed Christian, her father was a religious leader and her seven brothers all became ministers.

Answer: Disraeli

Benjamin Disraeli spent almost four decades in the House of Commons, and was Prime Minister twice. Queen Victoria was said to have been much fonder of him than of Gladstone. His literary career started before his political career with his first novel, "Vivian Grey", being published in 1826. In addition to his novels he also published several political pamphlets and papers.

Answer: Henry Irving

As literary critic for the "Dublin Evening Mail" Bram Stoker met Henry Irving after giving him a favourable review for "Hamlet". When he later moved to London Irving made him business manager of the Lyceum Theatre, and his personal assistant. Despite the work this entailed he also managed to write 12 novels and several collections of short stories.

Answer: George Eliot

"The Mill on The Floss" published in 1860, details the life of the Tullivers, who are brother and sister, whilst they are growing up until their death in a flood. It is set in the period between the Napoleonic Wars and the Reform Act.
George Eliot, real name Mary Ann Evans, wrote several other novels including "Silas Marner" and "Adam Bede", as well as volumes of poetry.

Answer: The Three Musketeers

Born in Edinburgh in 1850, Robert Louis Stevenson is among the 30 most translated writers in the world. His books were popular at the time they were published, and they have remained so. "Treasure Island" has been made into a film or televised more than 50 times. "Kidnapped" has also been given the film treatment on a number of occasions.

Answer: Rudyard Kipling

Kipling is another Victorian writer who spans into the Edwardian era. Many of his best known works, such a "The Jungle Book", "The Man Who Would Be King" and "Gunga Din" were first published in the 1890s. He was the first English language writer to receive the Nobel Prize, and was one of the most popular writers in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.