The Most Important 'D' People Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Dalton

Active during the early nineteenth century, John Dalton is one of the most influential chemists of the modern era. The concept of 'atoms' was first suggested in ancient times (by the scientists Leucippus, to be exact) it was Dalton whose experimentation with the comparative weights of different substances who first theorized atomic theory with the support of experimental research.

His work influenced dozens of scientists from future generations, including Mendeleev who developed his periodic table later in the century. Also, if you're curious, yes...this is the same Dalton who identified the condition we call Daltonism (aka color blindness).

He suffered from this problem himself!

Answer: Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin is the most notable figure in the development of the theory of evolution, though he was not the only scientist of his time examining the possibilities of the theory. Alfred Russel Wallace was developing essentially the same theory as Darwin's, half a world away (Darwin worked in South America while Wallace was in the East Indies). Probably no other scientific work has aroused more controversy, though, than Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'.

Answer: Democritus

Democritus was not the originator of atomic theory, as some suggest, though he did elaborate the theory more extensively than his predecessors. The Epicureans would be the greatest adherents to the ideas of Democritus, believing nature to be a complex machine composed of atoms that behave according to physical laws.

Answer: Dante 'Divine Comedy'

Dante Alighieri, arguably the greatest Italian poet of all time, began to receive attention with his 'The New Life', written c 1292. Within this work we are first introduced to his love, Beatrice, who would appear in other works, including 'The Divine Comedy'.

Answer: Darius

Darius was an able administrator, organizing the great Persian empire into units called Satrapies and introducing various other measures to consolidate his realm (postage, coinage, etc.). Darius was also responsible for a number of great building projects in Persepolis and Susa, the major cities of his empire.

However, his military exploits were generally unsuccessful. Along with his failure to subdue the Greek peninsula, he also led ill-fated campaigns against the Scythians in the north.

Answer: Charles Dickens

Dickens is viewed by many as the greatest English novelist in history, and his list of works tends to lend credence to these claims. Among his great works: 'Pickwick Papers', 'Oliver Twist', 'Great Expectations', 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'A Christmas Carol'. All I can say is...wow! I find his works very entertaining and his main characters resonate with us on a very human level.

Answer: Donatello

Donatello's 'David', though not as well known as Michelangelo's giant marble masterpiece, nonetheless could be the most important single work of sculpture since antiquity. Created in the 1430s, the bronze nude was the first free-standing work of its kind since ancient times. Donatello's 'David' was controversial because it had the appearance of one of the classical nudes of ancient Greece, and was viewed by many to be a Hermes in disguise!

Answer: Draco

Draco lived during the 7th century in Athens, and is considered the principal individual responsible for codifying the laws. Since the penalties for crimes both major and minor were potentially punishable by death, his name has come down in history as synonymous with harsh...'draconian'.

Answer: Da Gama

Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who voyaged around the southern tip of Africa and reached India by 1502. After some struggle, he was able to establish a colony for the Portuguese on the west coast of India at Goa where he became viceroy. This was still the key sea route to and from East Asia for the Europeans until the opening of the Suez Canal.

Answer: David

King David, the second king of ancient Israel, was an aide in the court of Saul (the first king) and a friend of Jonathan, Saul's son. After David slew Goliath, his popularity became so great that Saul eventually exiled him. After Saul's death, however, David was returned to Israel and made king. Classic story of retribution! If you enjoyed this quiz, please have a go at my other 'most important people' quizzes...thanks!