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William Rufus deVane King Trivia Quiz

A quiz on the 13th vice-president of the United States, William Rufus deVane King.

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

Author
AdmiralShark

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
209,357

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
208

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where was King born? Hint

Virginia

North Carolina

Georgia

South Carolina

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Question 2 of 10

2. What accomplishment did King's father achieve? Hint

state governor

cabinet member

U.S. senator

signed U.S. Constitution

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what year did King move to Alabama? Hint

1823

1821

1818

1815

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Question 4 of 10

4. King is credited with giving the city of Selma, Alabama its name. Where did King get the name "Selma" from? Hint

unknown

song

poem

family member

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Question 5 of 10

5. While a U.S. Senator, King became friends with a fellow U.S. Senator. Eventually, they would become roommates. Who was this senator who would later become president of the U.S.? Hint

James Buchanan

Millard Fillmore

Franklin Pierce

Zachary Taylor

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Question 6 of 10

6. What country did President John Tyler appoint King as U.S. Minister to in 1844? Hint

France

Russia

England

Spain

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Question 7 of 10

7. In June 1848, King returned to the U.S. Senate, replacing who? Hint

Benjamin Fitzpatrick

Reuben Chapman

Arthur Bagby

Dixon Hall Lewis

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Question 8 of 10

8. On what ballot did King win the Democratic nomination for vice-president in 1852? Hint

2nd

4th

1st

6th

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Question 9 of 10

9. In what city did King receive the vice-presidential oath of office? Hint

Washington D.C.

Kingston, Jamaica

Selma, Alabama

Havana, Cuba

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Question 10 of 10

10. King served longer as vice-president of the United States than William Henry Harrison did as U.S. president.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where was King born?

Answer: North Carolina

King was born on April 7, 1786 in Sampson County, North Carolina to William and Margaret deVane King.

2. What accomplishment did King's father achieve?

Answer: signed U.S. Constitution

King's father was one of the representatives of North Carolina at the convention that drew up the new U.S. Constitution and discarded the old Articles of Confederation.

3. In what year did King move to Alabama?

Answer: 1818

King moved to Alabama in early 1818, settling on a plot of land on the Alabama River, where he built his home "Chestnut Hill". By 1820, King was the second largest slave holder in Dallas County, Alabama.

4. King is credited with giving the city of Selma, Alabama its name. Where did King get the name "Selma" from?

Answer: poem

Selma, Alabama was named in honor of the poem "Songs of Selma" by Ossian.

5. While a U.S. Senator, King became friends with a fellow U.S. Senator. Eventually, they would become roommates. Who was this senator who would later become president of the U.S.?

Answer: James Buchanan

There have long been rumors of a homosexual relationship between King and Buchanan but nothing has ever been proven so rumors they are only.

6. What country did President John Tyler appoint King as U.S. Minister to in 1844?

Answer: France

King served as U.S. Minister to France from 1844 to 1846.

7. In June 1848, King returned to the U.S. Senate, replacing who?

Answer: Arthur Bagby

Bagby was appointed minister to Russia by President James Polk. King was named by Alabama governor Reuben Chapman to replace Bagby.

8. On what ballot did King win the Democratic nomination for vice-president in 1852?

Answer: 2nd

King received 282 votes on the second ballot to win the vice-presidential nomination, to run on the ticket with Democratic nominee Franklin Pierce. In the general election, the Pierce/King ticket easily defeated the Whig candidates, Winfield Scott and William Graham, 254-42 in the electoral college.

9. In what city did King receive the vice-presidential oath of office?

Answer: Havana, Cuba

King had contracted tuberculosis late in 1852 and had gone to Havana after the election for treatment, hoping the warm weather would help his condition. When it became evident that King's condition would not allow him to return to Washington for the March 4th inauguration ceremonies, Congress passed a special act, allowing U.S. Consul General William Sharkey to administer the oath of office to King in Havana.

10. King served longer as vice-president of the United States than William Henry Harrison did as U.S. president.

Answer: True

Harrison only lived one month after becoming president. King would serve as vice-president for six weeks before his death on April 18, 1853.

Source: Author AdmiralShark

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