On the Money - Figures on English Banknotes 1 Quiz | People

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. One-pound note (issued 1978) - In 1669, Sir Isaac Newton was appointed as the Lucasian Professor at Cambridge University, but which subject does the Lucasian Professor teach?

Answer: Mathematics

The Lucasian Professorship was founded in 1663 by Henry Lucas, the former MP for Cambridge University, who left his collection of 4,000 books and a bequest of �100 a year to found a professorship of mathematics. Subsequent holders of the position following Newton include Charles Babbage and Stephen Hawking.

The one-pound note issued in 1978 featuring Newton was the last one-pound note issued by the Bank of England. It was replaced by a one-pound coin in 1983, and removed from circulation in 1988.

2. Five-pound note (issued 1971) - Although the Duke of Wellington is best known to history as a soldier, he also served as Britain's Prime Minister on two separate occasions. Who was the British monarch when Wellington first served as Prime Minister?

Answer: George IV

The Duke of Wellington first became Prime Minister in January 1828, succeeding Viscount Goderich. During his ministry, the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 was passed, which removed many of the restrictions on Roman Catholics. Wellington resigned as Prime Minister in 1830 following a vote of no confidence resulting from his opposition to extending the vote.

The five-pound note issued in 1971 was the third to be issued by the Bank of England since the move away from the classic 'white fiver' note, and was in circulation for over twenty years until November 1991.

3. Five-pound note (issued 1990) - George Stephenson is perhaps best known as "the father of railways", but he began his career in engineering while working in what type of mine?

Answer: Coal

At the age of 17, George Stephenson became an engineman at a coal mine in Newburn, near his home town of Wyburn. While working there, he paid to study at night school, where he learned to read and write, as well as the principles of mathematics. By 1811, having learned a great deal about engineering during his working life, he became the enginewright for the maintenance of all of the steam engines at Killingworth Colliery in Northumberland, where he achieved his expertise in steam-powered machinery.

The five-pound note issued in 1990 featured Stephenson's most famous creation, the steam locomotive "Rocket" that is regarded as the pioneer of all subsequent steam locomotives. It was finally withdrawn in November 2003.

4. Ten-pound note (issued 1975) - In 1854, Florence Nightingale established her hospital for wounded soldiers of the Crimean War at Selimiye Barracks in Scutari. In which modern-day country is Scutari?

Answer: Turkey

Florence Nightingale arrived at Scutari in November 1854 with a staff of 38 nurses that she had trained, plus 15 Catholic nuns mobilised by Henry Manning (later to become the Archbishop of Westminster). Following her work during the Crimean War, she used money raised by the Nightingale Fund, which had been established for the training of nurses, to set up the Nightingale Training School at St Thomas's Hospital in London, which served as a model for similar nursing schools around the UK.

The ten-pound note issued in 1975 was the second brown coloured example - there had been no ten-pound note issued between 1945 and 1964. It was eventually withdrawn from circulation after nearly twenty years, in 1994.

5. Ten-pound note (issued 1992) - Charles Dickens' literary career lasted from 1836 until his death in 1870. What was his last completed novel?

Answer: Our Mutual Friend

"Our Mutual Friend" was written in 1864-65, and was originally serialised in 19 monthly installments between May 1864 and November 1865 before then being published in one volume. Dickens' final work, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", was unfinished at the time of his death in 1870.

The ten-pound note issued in 1992 featured the cricket match between Dingley Dell and All Muggleton from Dickens' first novel, "The Pickwick Papers". It was withdrawn from circulation in 2003.

6. Twenty-pound note (issued 1970) - William Shakespeare first became known for his writing around 1592, and from 1594 his plays were performed exclusively by a single theatrical company, but which company was it?

Answer: Lord Chamberlain's Men

The Lord Chamberlain's Men was founded by Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon in 1594, during his tenure as the Lord Chamberlain. Following his death, his son George took over the patronage. The company was assembled and run initially by the impresario James Burbage, who was succeeded by his son, the actor Richard Burbage who, in addition to his work running the company, was also one of the senior actors, playing a number of lead roles in William Shakespeare's works. The company changed its name in 1603 to 'The King's Men', when James I became its patron.

The twenty-pound note issued in 1970 was the first to be issued featuring a historical figure, and was the longest lasting of the historical figures notes issued prior to 2000, not being withdrawn until 1993. It was also the only one not to feature a portrait of the historical figure - instead, the statue of Shakespeare on his memorial at Westminster Abbey was used.

7. Twenty-pound note (issued 1991) - Michael Faraday, while best known for his studies into the effects of electricity and electromagnetism, was also a chemist of renown, who was appointed the first Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at which institution?

Answer: Royal Institution

The Fullerian Professorship was created specifically for Faraday by John 'Mad Jack' Fuller, a former MP and noted patron of the arts and sciences, who was a mentor and supporter of Faraday's. In addition to his work at the Royal Institution, Faraday undertook many external projects for both the government and private enterprise - he did extensive work on protecting the hulls of ships from corrosion, was consulted on ways of reducing air pollution at the Royal Mint, and was a judge of exhibits prior to the Great Exhibition.

The twenty-pound note issued in 1991 was the shortest lived of the 20th century issues of historical figure notes, lasting for less than ten years until its withdrawal in 2001.

8. Twenty-pound note (issued 1999) - Edward Elgar is one of Britain's most well-known composers, but is perhaps most-well known for his 'Pomp and Circumstance' series of marches. The music of one of these is used for which English patriotic song?

Answer: Land of Hope and Glory

"Land of Hope and Glory" came about at the suggestion of King Edward VII, who said to Elgar that the melody he had written for his Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 would make a good song. Elgar subsequently collaborated with the poet A.C. Benson, who wrote the lyrics, and incorporated the piece into the six part "Coronation Ode" written for Edward VII's coronation in 1902. Since 1947, "Land of Hope and Glory" has featured as part of the Last Night of the Proms, the final concert in the season of annual concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall.

The twenty-pound note issued in 1999 was the final new English banknote to be released in the twentieth century, and was in circulation for just over 11 years, being finally withdrawn in 2010.

9. Fifty-pound note (issued 1981) - Christopher Wren, although known for his work as an anatomist, astronomer and mathematician, is most well-regarded for his body of work as an architect; he designed 51 churches in London, with his most famous work being St Paul's Cathedral. But, he was also responsible for many famous secular buildings. Which of the following was NOT designed by Wren?

Answer: Banqueting House, London

Although Wren received no formal training as an architect, he was able to use the skills and knowledge in the sciences he had received first during his time at Oxford University, and then as a member of the newly established Royal Society, that he was able to turn his hand to designing buildings, with one of his first major commissions being the restoration of Old St Paul's Cathedral. When this was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, he subsequently submitted designs for a brand new cathedral on the site, which was consecrated in 1697, and finally completed in 1711.

The fifty-pound note issued in 1981 was the first of that denomination issued by the Bank of England since 1945. It remained in circulation for more than 15 years until being withdrawn in 1996.

10. Fifty-pound note (issued 1994) - John Houblon was a major figure in the history of the City of London, serving as the Sheriff of the City of London, then as an Alderman, and as Lord Mayor. In addition, he also occupied national roles, most notably being the first occupant of which significant position?

Answer: Governor of the Bank of England

John Houblon was appointed as the first Governor of the Bank of England on its foundation in 1694, serving in the position for three years until 1697. At the same time, he also served as a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, while his term as Lord Mayor of London was in 1695. He subsequently returned to the Board of the Bank as a director from 1700.

The fifty-pound note issued in 1994, although planned primarily to replace its predecessor, was also issued to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Bank of England. It remained in circulation for just over 20 years, being finally withdrawn in 2014.

Source: Author Red_John

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On the Money - Figures on English Banknotes 1 Quiz

Since 1970, the Bank of England has issued banknotes featuring figures from British history. Can you answer questions on the figures from banknotes issued between 1970 and 1999?

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