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Thomas Paine (1737-1809) Trivia Quiz

The Life and Works of Thomas Paine : a radical thinker, inspirational writer and social-reformer, Thomas Paine's works influenced both the American independence movement and The French Revolution, yet he died in virtual obscurity.

A multiple-choice quiz by Mutchisman. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Mutchisman

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
238,981

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
381

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Thomas Paine was born on 29th January 1737 in the English county of Norfolk. Which town was he born in? Hint

Great Yarmouth

Diss

Thetford

King's Lynn

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Question 2 of 10

2. Thomas's father did what type of work? Hint

Corset-maker

Farm worker

Blacksmith

Rat catcher

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Question 3 of 10

3. How many times was Thomas Paine married? Hint

He never married

Three times

Once

Twice

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Question 4 of 10

4. With which religious doctrine did Thomas Paine align himself ? Hint

Atheism

Roman Catholicism

Protestantism

Deism

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Question 5 of 10

5. Whilst working in London, with which famous person did Paine form a friendship? (This person later suggested to Paine that he should emigrate to America.) Hint

George Washington

Duke of Wellington

William Pitt

Benjamin Franklin

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the name of Paine's monograph (published 1776), in which he outlined the case for America to seek political independence from Great Britain? Hint

Plain Truth

Anyone For Tea?

Common Sense

No Taxation Without Representation

7. George Washington at first lauded Thomas Paine, indeed he had Paine's words from "Crisis" ("These are the times that try men's souls...") read to his troops before they crossed the Delaware in 1776. Over what issue did the two men quarrel, never to be reconciled? Hint

Taxation

Constitution

Free trade

Slavery

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Question 8 of 10

8. Edmund Burke published a highly critical account of the French Revolution entitled "Reflections on the Revolution in France". Which phrase incensed Paine so much that it inspired him to write his famous riposte "Rights of Man"? Hint

The swineish multitude

The grasping goats

The greedy pigs

The selfish sheep

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1793, with Robespierre in charge of France, Paine was thrown into prison, narrowly escaping being executed! For what reason was he imprisoned? Hint

He had argued against the execution of Louis XVI.

He was having an affair with Robespierre's wife.

He had insulted Napoleon.

He had criticised French cuisine.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Thomas Paine died on 8th June 1809 in New York City. According to contemporary reports how many mourners attended his funeral? Hint

Six thousand

Sixty

Six

Six hundred

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Thomas Paine was born on 29th January 1737 in the English county of Norfolk. Which town was he born in?

Answer: Thetford

Thomas was born into comparative poverty, and was effectively an only child, as his younger sister died aged seven months.

2. Thomas's father did what type of work?

Answer: Corset-maker

When Thomas left school aged 12, he was apprenticed to his father in the corset-making trade but lacked both the skill and motivation to succeed, and fairly quickly moved into administrative work.

3. How many times was Thomas Paine married?

Answer: Twice

His married his first wife, Mary in 1759, she became pregnant shortly afterwards but sadly neither she nor her child survived childbirth.
He was only married to his second wife, Elizabeth for three years, before separating from her shortly before his first visit to America in 1774.

4. With which religious doctrine did Thomas Paine align himself ?

Answer: Deism

Thomas believed in the existence of a supreme being, but had little time for the orthodoxies of any church, "My own mind is my own church."
These views were at great variance with the prevailing religious doctrines of the time and brought him much ridicule and persecution throughout his life.

5. Whilst working in London, with which famous person did Paine form a friendship? (This person later suggested to Paine that he should emigrate to America.)

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

Paine had already published a political paper in support of better working conditions for excise-men. This and his religious beliefs led to conflict with his employers and others, Franklin suggested his views might find a better audience in America. Thomas only just survived the voyage, taking six weeks to recover after landing in Philadelphia.

6. What was the name of Paine's monograph (published 1776), in which he outlined the case for America to seek political independence from Great Britain?

Answer: Common Sense

Approximately 120,000 copies of "Common Sense" were distributed throughout the colonies, making it arguably the most read work of its day in America. It certainly had enormous influence on George Washington and his allies.

Answer: Slavery

Paine had long been a supporter of abolition and could not reconcile his views with those of Washington, whose family kept slaves.

Answer: The swineish multitude

Paine supported The French Revolution and Left America for France. Despite not being able to speak French he was, at first, hailed as a hero there.

9. In 1793, with Robespierre in charge of France, Paine was thrown into prison, narrowly escaping being executed! For what reason was he imprisoned?

Answer: He had argued against the execution of Louis XVI.

Although Paine was in favour of the abolition of the monarchy, he did not support regicide as a consequence of abolition.
He only escaped death due to an error by a jailer who marked a cross, the sign that the occupant was due for execution, on the wrong side of the door!

10. Thomas Paine died on 8th June 1809 in New York City. According to contemporary reports how many mourners attended his funeral?

Answer: Six

Only six people attended his funeral, two of whom were former slaves.
A man ahead of his time, who proposed universal free education, a minimum income, an embryonic social security system and many other radical ideas. It is sad to think such an influential man left the world almost unnoticed.

Source: Author Mutchisman

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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