Strange Sides of Famous People Quiz

Answer: Marie Curie

After Madam Curie was widowed, she began an infamous affair with the then married Paul Langevin, a fellow scientist. The French newspaper "Le Journal de Paris" ran a headline reading "A Story of Love, Mme. Curie and Professor Langevin" in November 1911.

Many of Curie's colleagues thought that she was awarded a second Nobel Prize out of sympathy for her being hated by the French public rather than scientific achievement. For more information, see the website http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/m_r/rich/mariecurie.htm.

Answer: T. E. Lawrence

T. E. Lawrence (1888-1935) known as "Lawrence of Arabia", said that while being brutally assaulted by the Turks that he experienced "a delicious warmth, probably sexual ..." ("Seven Pillars of Wisdom" 1922, p. 480., by T. E. Lawrence). There are at least three editions of the text and this statement, which was regarded with amazement and horror by some of his friends, was omitted from later versions. For details of the various editions see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Pillars_of_Wisdom

Answer: John F. Kennedy

President Kennedy's "companions" included maids and secretaries. Most famously and controversially, he is linked to Marilyn Monroe. One of his women said that "He did not perceive women as human beings, or even objects of affection. He had a real need to capture and dominate." His good friend Senator George Smathers said, "There is no question about the fact that Jack had the most active libido of any man I've ever known."

Answer: Charles Lindbergh

Lindbergh set a world's record in 1927 by crossing the Atlantic Ocean solo non-stop. He later outraged most Americans when he championed the Nazi cause and expressed concern that the United States had been "infiltrat[ed] by inferior blood."

Answer: George Washington

The costs for Washington's military, diplomatic and social functions as the "commander in chief" during the American Revolutionary War vastly exceeded the $500 per month offered to him. Upon being elected President in 1789, he again offered to work for "expenses" only. Congress wisely refused and instead paid him $25,000 per year in salary.

Answer: Martin Luther

In 1525, when the German peasants staged an uprising demanding basic rights, Luther published a diatribe entitled "Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants." Luther also said that "Jews should be deported to Palestine, or at the very least, that their synagogues be burned and all their books be confiscated."

Answer: Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau (1817-1862) ran a relaxed classroom and he was liked by his students (at least the ones he did not cane for no reason at all!).

Answer: Thomas Edison

Edison seemed unaware of the existence of his own family and both of his wives suffered from severe depressions. His eldest son, Thomas Edison, Jr., became an alchoholic and a hypochondriac who committed suicide.

Answer: Robert Peary

Peary wrote a book entitled "Northward over the Great Ice" which recorded his early Arctic travels. He included a naked photo of his beautiful Eskimo mistress, Allakasignwah, taken while bathing. They had a son together while his wife and daughters remained behind in the United States.

Peary also treated his 22 year devoted assistant Matthew Hensen badly by unceremoniously dismissing him. Hensen had carried Peary part of the way to the North Pole. Hensen outlived Peary by 35 years.

Answer: Albert Schweitzer

Schweitzer believed that his own health and diet was more important and conducted his dealings with his African staff and patients as a "benign dictatorship." He is quoted as saying "Simple people need simple healing methods." Despite his behavior, Schweitzer is widely regarded as a selfless humanitarian doctor, theologian and musician.