Best Man Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gottfried Keller

Gottfried Keller was born in Zurich. His first passion was landscape painting and he planned to make that his career. During Keller's time in Zurich, he took up writing and released his first work of poetry in 1846. From 1848 to 1850 Keller studied at the University of Heidelberg, and then he was employed in Berlin.

While he was in Berlin his most famous work was published - the novel "Green Henry" (1855). After returning to Zurich, Keller became the First Official Secretary of the Canton of Zurich. During this time, he continued to produce work, both short stories and poetry, and gain popularity.

Answer: Sakamot Ryoma

Ryoma, who lived from 1836 to 1867, was a Japanese samurai and became an influential figure with the Empire of Japan in the late Edo Period. Known for being a visionary, Ryoma dreamt of an independent Japan without feudalism or the caste system. Authoring "Eight Proposals While Shipboard", he proposed a system where the people could vote and be involved competitively within the western world.

Answer: Marshall McLuhan

Marshall McLuhan is a philosopher whose education included studies at the University of Manitoba and the University of Cambridge. McLuhan's area of expertise was media theory and he is known for making the following part of every day use "the medium is the message" and the term "global village". McLuhan also predicted the World Wide Web almost 30 years before it was invented.

Answer: Otto von Bismarck

Bismarck's reputation grew to hero status in the 1860s as the man responsible for the defeat of enemies, especially the French, and for the unification of Germany in 1871. As the result of the military conquests, Bismarck was installed as Germany's first chancellor and stayed in that position until 1890.

Answer: Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill is known for being the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, during the time of the Second World War. The V sign has become significant to Churchill as a sign of victory. Churchill was also Prime Minister from 1951 to 1955. Overall, Churchill inspired a nation to fight against anyone who would consider attacking the United Kingdom.

Interestingly, Churchill was considered a great leader when everyone's back was against the wall, but not when it was rebuilding.

Answer: Alfred Nobel

Nobel's most notable invention and product was dynamite. As a consequence of reading his own obituary, which did not give a kind rendition of his life and achievements, Nobel decided to atone by creating the "Nobel Prizes", prizes to recognise and reward people in their area of expertise.

There were five categories of prizes that are still awarded annually in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.

Answer: Donald Bradman

Australia has many cricketer winners, but it all started with Sir Donald Bradman. We all know that his batting average was 99.9, a great achievement even though his time playing test cricket was reduced due to World War II. Bradman's batting average feat was a world record for over 70 years, and was finally broken in October 2019 by Rohit Sharma during a South African/Indian match.

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is one of the best known American statesmen and historical figures. As the 16th president, Lincoln played an important role in the American fight to end slavery. In addition, during the Civil War, Lincoln was successful in preserving the Union.

Answer: Roald Amundsen

Well the race was on - who would be the first to get to the South Pole - Scott or Amundsen? Scott had vowed to "to reach the South Pole and to secure for the British Empire the honor of this achievement." This set the tone for the race to secure the South Pole for the British Empire or for Norway. Not only did Amundsen win the race to the South Pole, but he lived to tell the tale; unfortunately Scott did not.

Answer: Napoleon

Napoleon was a French statesman and military leader who was raised to the status of Emperor of the French in 1804. During Napoleon's decade of leading the French against many enemies, he proved himself a leader and statesman, building an empire over most of Europe before its downfall in 1815. Aside from Napoleon's conquests, it should be noted that his reforms of the legal, educational, and banking systems of France are still evident there today.