"Spencer Dispenser" II: Last Name Spencers Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This musical artist, originally from Rhode Island, formed his own band in New York City and has performed with such artists as Beck, The Beastie Boys and Chuck D from Public Enemy. The name of the band is ______ Spencer Blues Explosion. Who is the leader of this Alternative Rock Trio?

Answer: Jon Spencer

The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion formed in 1991, and features an eclectic sound that can't really be pinpointed. Glenn Spencer was an advocate for better border patrol on the US/Mexico line. Samuel Spencer was the "father of the Southern Railway" in the United States. And Russ Spencer is and English television presenter.

2. Perhaps the most famous of those with Spencer surnames, she would later be known simply by a first name syllable, along with her title. Prior to her tragic car crash leading to her death in 1997, and her marriage into British Royalty, what was she known as?

Answer: Diana Spencer

All four were some form of British Royalty over the centuries, but there can only be one Princess Di. Born in 1961, her wedding to Prince Charles was viewed by an estimated 750 million people.

3. Born in 1820, this Spencer was an English philosopher who coined the phrase "survival of the fittest". Who is this 19th century Spencer?

Answer: Herbert Spencer

Herbert Spencer was also romantically linked to Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot, author of "Silas Marner". The other names were all characters from the American soap opera "General Hospital".

4. This Spencer is famous for patent number #2,495,429. You probably could cook that patent number in rapid time, as the patent number resulted in the microwave oven being installed in virtually every home. What Spencer is known as the "inventor of the microwave oven"?

Answer: Percy Spencer

The story goes that he noticed that his chocolate bar melted while standing in front of the microwaves being produced by the magnetron he was working on. He tried popping popcorn in the waves, and that promptly filled the floor with popped popcorn. Raytheon used this knowledge that he patented in 1947 to produce the first commercial microwave oven. Thank Percy for your bag of microwave popcorn.
Joel Spencer was an American mathematician, Jesse Spencer was an Australian musician, and Selden Spencer was a former Missouri senator.

5. This Spencer was a pop singer in the 1980s and 1990s. She was a victor on the original "Star Search" competition, and later went on to post a #1 R&B song, "Tender Kisses", as well as a Billboard Top 10 tune "This House". Who was this talented Spencer?

Answer: Tracie Spencer

Tracie Spencer is a native Iowan (my home state) born in 1976. Her latest career chapters have her singing backup for hip-hop artists such as Kanye West and 50 Cent. Paula Spencer is a women's health author, and Shawntae Spencer is a cornerback for the National Football League. LaDonna Spencer is simply a name I made up.

6. Lionel Richie and Diana Ross can thank this Spencer for their hit "Endless Love", because it never would have transpired without someone writing the original book that the movie was based on. What Spencer authored the novel "Endless Love"?

Answer: Scott Spencer

Scott Spencer wrote "Endless Love" in 1979 and was nominated for a National Book Award. The movie, while not highly acclaimed, did produce the song of the same name which spent nine weeks at #1 on the Billboard chart. Orson Spencer was a Mormon write, Adam Spencer is Australian DJ, and Len Spencer was an early recording artist. On a loosely related note, Scott Spencer was going to be my stage name, had I ever made it big in performing.

7. This actor Spencer made a name for himself playing Leo McGarry on NBC's "The West Wing". He died tragically of a heart attack in 2005. Who was this Emmy-winning actor Spencer?

Answer: John Spencer

John Spencer was born John Speshock Jr. in New York City. His first starring role came on the same network's "LA Law", but he will forever be associated with "The West Wing". His death occurred during production, and was written into the show. Alan, Tim, and Noel Spencer are all involved in professional athletics, playing cricket, American football and Australian football respectively.

8. This Spencer actually has a style of handwriting named after him. A form of calligraphy called Spencerian script became the norm in schools in the 1800s. Which Spencer do you have to thank for that?

Answer: Platt Rogers Spencer

Platt Rogers Spencer developed his style of writing in 1840. The style is reminiscent of the John Hancock signature. Two prominent examples of this script style are evident in the Ford Motor Company's and Coca-Cola's logos. John Poyntz, Dagmar, and Charles Robert are all examples of British Royalty over the years.

9. Trained by Samuel Colt in the arms-making trade, this Spencer was the inventor and namesake of the Spencer Repeating Rifle. He also dabbled in other inventions, but this is the main one that bears his name. Who is the man behind the Spencer Repeating Rifle?

Answer: Christopher Miner Spencer

Christopher Spencer worked with inventing "horseless carriages" and sewing machines during his career, but he never strayed far from the firearms trade. His rifle was used by the Union armies in the Civil War beginning in 1863, but this fact, as you wouldn't expect led to the downfall of his first company. Arms were expensive to make during war times, and the war's end resulted in a surplus of guns, which led to the company's bankruptcy. William Robert was an English poet, Walter Baldwin was a British anthropologist, and there are numerous Thomas Spencer's.

10. This Spencer was a fixture on the 1970's TV Show "What's Happening". She played the sarcastic sister Dee Thomas from 1976 to 1979, and again in the reprise of the show in the 1980's. Who is this actress Spencer?

Answer: Danielle Spencer

Danielle Spencer would later go on to become a veterinarian in real life, in addition to playing one briefly in the Jack Nicholson/Helen Hunt movie "As Good As It Gets". Emily Spencer Hayden was a photographer from the Maryland area. Gillian Spencer is a long time soap opera actress.Jane Spencer is a baroness from Kent during the late 1800's.

Source: Author Spaudrey

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

I had a quiz based on people who had my same first name, Spencer. In my research, I came across a number of people with the LAST name of Spencer. Hope you learn something.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>