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Quiz about The Real James Herriot
Quiz about The Real James Herriot

The 'Real' James Herriot Trivia Quiz


I have spent many happy hours with my nose buried in a book by world famous author and veterinarian James Herriot. How much do you know about the 'real' James Herriot? Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by ballykissangel. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Time
6 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
70,880
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
10 / 20
Plays
886
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
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Question 1 of 20
1. James Herriot is actually a pseudonym. What is the author's real name? Hint


Question 2 of 20
2. Although James Herriot was to live and practice his veterinary skills in England's Yorkshire dales for many years, he actually grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. Where was he born? Hint


Question 3 of 20
3. James was the only child born to his father, who was by trade, a ship plater, and mother, who earned money as a seamstress. What were their names? Hint


Question 4 of 20
4. In 1932, Herriot contracted and nearly died from what virulent disease? Hint


Question 5 of 20
5. Where did Herriot attend veterinary college? Hint


Question 6 of 20
6. What year did James Herriot officially qualify as a fully-fledged member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons? Hint


Question 7 of 20
7. Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, Herriot's friends and collegues, were in fact fictitious names. What were their real names? Hint


Question 8 of 20
8. In James Herriot's books, James is married to a woman named Helen. What is his wife's real name. Hint


Question 9 of 20
9. The 'Herriot's' had two children. Their names were the same in his books as in real life. Who were they? Hint


Question 10 of 20
10. In Herriot's books, the town in the Yorkshire Dales where they lived was referred to as 'Darrowby'. In which town did they really reside? Hint


Question 11 of 20
11. In one of his books, Herriot describes him as 'just about the most English-looking man I had ever seen. Long, humorous, strong-jawed face...he looked as though he didn't spend much time in front of a mirror.' To whom was he referring? Hint


Question 12 of 20
12. The place where James Herriot worked (and for a period lived), was the surgery in 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk. What was the place called in the Herriot books? Hint


Question 13 of 20
13. The housekeeper in the Herriot books was called Mrs. Hall. What was her actual name? Hint


Question 14 of 20
14. James Herriot played one sport very seriously. Which sport was it? Hint


Question 15 of 20
15. What did Herriot claim was his favourite animal? Hint


Question 16 of 20
16. Those who know Herriot's books will be familiar with the eccentric but lovable 'Mrs. Pumphrey and her little Pekingese 'Trickie Woo'. On whom were these characters based? Hint


Question 17 of 20
17. One traumatic event in the life of James Herriot was the catalyst to a period of deep depression for him. What was that event? Hint


Question 18 of 20
18. From whom did Alf Wight (James Herriot) get his literary name? Hint


Question 19 of 20
19. James's son Jimmy, followed in his father's footsteps and became a veterinary surgeon as well as an author. He wrote his father's biography which was published in 1999. Rosie, too wanted to be a vet but was encouraged by her father to pursue a different career. What did she become? Hint


Question 20 of 20
20. What took the life of James Alfred Wight (Herriot) on February 23, 1995? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. James Herriot is actually a pseudonym. What is the author's real name?

Answer: James Alfred Wight

James Alfred Wight, known to his many friends and fans as 'James Herriot' was born on October 3, 1916. Although his first name was James, he went by the name 'Alf'.
2. Although James Herriot was to live and practice his veterinary skills in England's Yorkshire dales for many years, he actually grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. Where was he born?

Answer: Sunderland, England

James was born in Sunderland, England, but moved with his parents to Glasgow when he was only three weeks old. It was there that he spent the formative years of his life and he always thought of himself as a Glaswegian.
3. James was the only child born to his father, who was by trade, a ship plater, and mother, who earned money as a seamstress. What were their names?

Answer: James and Hannah Wight

James grew up in a secure and loving home. His parents were gifted musicians and at times played and sang professionally. James, himself, was musical and could play piano by ear.
4. In 1932, Herriot contracted and nearly died from what virulent disease?

Answer: Diptheria

At the beginning of his final year at Hillhead High School in Glasgow, James contracted diptheria. Only determination to get well and careful nursing by his parents saved him.
5. Where did Herriot attend veterinary college?

Answer: Glasgow University Veterinary School

James began his education at veterinary college on September 26, 1933.
6. What year did James Herriot officially qualify as a fully-fledged member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons?

Answer: 1939

On December 14, James Alfred Wight graduated from Glasgow Veterinary College as an MRCVS.
7. Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, Herriot's friends and collegues, were in fact fictitious names. What were their real names?

Answer: Donald and Brian Sinclair

Donald was the older Sinclair brother and owner of the practice where all three vets worked. Later on, Herriot became a partner in the business. Both Donald and Brian were lifelong friends of Herriot's.
8. In James Herriot's books, James is married to a woman named Helen. What is his wife's real name.

Answer: Joan

James Alfred Wight (Herriot) and Joan Catherine Danbury were married on November 5, 1941 and remained together til James' death.
9. The 'Herriot's' had two children. Their names were the same in his books as in real life. Who were they?

Answer: Jimmy and Rosie

James (Jimmy) Wight was born on February 13, 1943. Rosemary (Rosie)was born May 9, 1947.
10. In Herriot's books, the town in the Yorkshire Dales where they lived was referred to as 'Darrowby'. In which town did they really reside?

Answer: Thirsk

Thirsk and the surrounding areas are the sight of thousands of visiting tourists each year as they explore the 'land of James Herriot'.
11. In one of his books, Herriot describes him as 'just about the most English-looking man I had ever seen. Long, humorous, strong-jawed face...he looked as though he didn't spend much time in front of a mirror.' To whom was he referring?

Answer: Siegfried Farnon

Donald Sinclair (Siegfried Farnon) was apparently very much a ladies man and was said to have looked the same at 50 as he did when he was 30.
12. The place where James Herriot worked (and for a period lived), was the surgery in 23 Kirkgate, Thirsk. What was the place called in the Herriot books?

Answer: Skeldale House

James lived at 23 Kirkgate for 12 years and it was the place of his practice for the whole of his career.
13. The housekeeper in the Herriot books was called Mrs. Hall. What was her actual name?

Answer: Mrs. Weatherill

14. James Herriot played one sport very seriously. Which sport was it?

Answer: Tennis

James was a hard man to beat in a game of tennis and he and his wife enjoyed many a game together.
15. What did Herriot claim was his favourite animal?

Answer: Dog

James and his family always kept a dog. He often took a canine companion on his calls around the countryside. In many pictures of Herriot, you will either see him carrying or walking with a dog.
16. Those who know Herriot's books will be familiar with the eccentric but lovable 'Mrs. Pumphrey and her little Pekingese 'Trickie Woo'. On whom were these characters based?

Answer: Mrs. Marjorie Warner and her dog Bambi

Mrs. Pumphrey and her dog 'Trickie Woo were clients of 'Uncle Herriot' and always showed their appreciation by sending him invitations and gifts for his services.
17. One traumatic event in the life of James Herriot was the catalyst to a period of deep depression for him. What was that event?

Answer: The death of his father

James' father died suddenly of a heart attack on April 8, 1960. He was devastated by the loss.
18. From whom did Alf Wight (James Herriot) get his literary name?

Answer: A football player

The 'real' James Herriot was a goalkeeper for the city of Birmingham Football team. Alf saw him play a football game on TV, liked the name, and decided to use it as his pseudonym.
19. James's son Jimmy, followed in his father's footsteps and became a veterinary surgeon as well as an author. He wrote his father's biography which was published in 1999. Rosie, too wanted to be a vet but was encouraged by her father to pursue a different career. What did she become?

Answer: A doctor

Veterinary work, for those in Alf's day, was different from the modern veterinary work of today. A lot of the work was rough and dirty. He wanted something different for his daughter.
20. What took the life of James Alfred Wight (Herriot) on February 23, 1995?

Answer: Cancer

James was diagnosed with cancer in December, 1991. He passed away at home with his wife, daughter Rosie, and granddaughter Emma by his side.
Source: Author ballykissangel

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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