From Newton to Shakespeare: A Quiz All About Famous Brits

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"The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them."  – Queen Victoria

While that may sound a bit pompous, the British are actually known for their self-deprecation. This is detected in the works of its authors, comedians, actors, and other famous Brits who have made it big on the international stage. Whether pop artists or physicists, Britain has put out some of the best of class in every field.  

Do you know them all? Show us your knowledge about UK leaders, athletes, scientists, musicians, politicians, and other famous celebrities with our Famous Brits Quiz! 

Test your Entertainment Knowledge

"I'm not from around these parts. I'm from a little place called England. We used to run the world before you." – Ricky Gervais

While they may not "run the world" anymore, famous Brits are still being churned out every generation. Take our Famous Brits Quiz and name them all! 

What group produced the song, "Hey Jude"? Who led Great Britain through WWII? Which famous Brit created The Lord of the Rings? How about Hamlet? What scientist came up with the Theory of Everything? Do you have all the answers? Then you'll ace this Famous Brits Quiz. 

Now, pretend like you're from around these parts and put this Famous Brits Quiz to bed.

Try all of our Entertainment Quizzes

Do you enjoy a good quiz about your favorite TV series, your favorite celebrities, and your favorite films? Then our collection of entertainment quizzes was built just for you.

After bagging this Famous Brits Quiz, name all your favorite nationals in this series of country quizzes. Try our Famous Indians Quiz, Famous Japanese Quiz, Famous Chinese Quiz, Famous Mexicans Quiz, and Famous Canadians Quiz. Is fame getting you down? Then here are some tickets to your favorite Broadway Quiz. Who said trivia knowledge had to be boring?


Jessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.

Famous Brits Quiz Questions

25 Questions · 168 Plays · No comments

Question 1

What great orator led Britain through WWII, saying "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be"?

  • A
    Winston Churchill
  • B
    Tony Blair
  • C
    Hugh Grant
  • D
    Clement Attlee

Question 2

Fronted by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, what rock band struck up an international "mania" with such hits as "Come Together" and "Eleanor Rigby"?

  • A
    The Rolling Stones
  • B
    The Who
  • C
    Queen
  • D
    The Beatles

Question 3

Known as the "Iron Lady," what first female prime minister said, "If you want something done, ask a woman"?

  • A
    Theresa May
  • B
    Angela Merkel
  • C
    Margaret Thatcher
  • D
    Yulia Tymoshenko

Question 4

With 13 nominations and 4 wins, who is the most Oscar-nominated British actor with roles such as Hamlet and Henry IV?

  • A
    Laurence Olivier
  • B
    Kenneth Branagh
  • C
    Gary Oldman
  • D
    Daniel Day-Lewis

Question 5

Quoted as saying "I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married," which "virgin" queen led England to war with Spain?

  • A
    Elizabeth I
  • B
    Elizabeth II
  • C
    Freddie Mercury
  • D
    Victoria

Question 6

What Oscar-winning Welsh actor brought the creepy Hannibal Lecter to life in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs?

  • A
    Tom Hiddleston
  • B
    Sean Connery
  • C
    Anthony Hopkins
  • D
    Patrick Stewart

Question 7

Name this naturalist and scientist who spent years on the Galapagos Islands developing the groundbreaking Theory of Evolution.

  • A
    Nikola Tesla
  • B
    Alexander Fleming
  • C
    Charles Darwin
  • D
    Michael Faraday

Question 8

What unfortunate British royal and queen consort of France was beheaded for treason due to her alleged role in plotting to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I?

  • A
    Mary, Queen of Scots
  • B
    Cleopatra
  • C
    Isabella MacDuff
  • D
    Lady Agnes Campbell

Question 9

She is currently (and has been for 69 years, as of 2021) the Queen of England. Name the UK's main monarch.

  • A
    Catherine the Great
  • B
    Victoria
  • C
    Elizabeth I
  • D
    Elizabeth II

Question 10

Creating hits like The Office and Extras, what British comedy writer, director, actor, and producer once said "Proper stupidity is fascinating"?

  • A
    Steve Carell
  • B
    Eddie Izzard
  • C
    Ricky Gervais
  • D
    Jimmy Carr

Question 11

Blasting onto the scene with "Rolling in the Deep," what multi-grammy winner has become one of the world's best-selling music artists?

  • A
    Adele
  • B
    Lily Allen
  • C
    Dua Lipa
  • D
    Amy Winehouse

Question 12

Known as "the Lady with the Lamp," what social reformer and founder of modern nursing said her success was that she "never gave or took any excuse"?

  • A
    Florence Nightingale
  • B
    Mary Breckinridge
  • C
    Clara Barton
  • D
    Sandra Dee

Question 13

The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree with which physicist, who came up with the theory of gravity?

  • A
    Alexander Fleming
  • B
    Alan Turing
  • C
    Charles Darwin
  • D
    Isaac Newton

Question 14

Name the British billionaire author who wrote the highly popular Harry Potter series sitting in a cafe looking up at Edinburgh Castle.

  • A
    Virginia Woolf
  • B
    Agatha Christie
  • C
    Stephanie Meyer
  • D
    J.K. Rowling

Question 15

Although he was memorably played by Mel Gibson in Braveheart, his story is even wilder than depicted on the big screen. Name this Scottish knight.

  • A
    Gerard Butler
  • B
    William Wallace
  • C
    Robert the Bruce
  • D
    Adam Smith

Question 16

As one of soccer's best midfielders, what Manchester United footballer is the first English player to win league titles in four countries?

  • A
    Cristiano Ronaldo
  • B
    Michael Owen
  • C
    David Beckham
  • D
    Gareth Bale

Question 17

What A Brief History of Time author and cosmologist came up with a theory about black holes?

  • A
    Richard Dawkins
  • B
    Steven Hawking
  • C
    Albert Einstein
  • D
    Maurice Wilkins

Question 18

As one of Britain's most famous monarchs, what "coppernose" went through six wives and piddled his country's wealth away on flashy festivals and food?

  • A
    William the Conquerer
  • B
    Richard III
  • C
    Henry V
  • D
    Henry VIII

Question 19

Writing "Courage is found in unlikely places," who found courage in Middle Earth, bringing to life the beloved The Lord of the Rings trilogy?

  • A
    Roald Dahl
  • B
    J. R. R. Tolkien
  • C
    Daniel DeFoe
  • D
    Geoffrey Chaucer

Question 20

Saying "My definition of success is control," who is this North Irish actor, famous for his Shakespearean roles?

  • A
    Kenneth Branaugh
  • B
    Robert Pattinson
  • C
    Laurence Olivier
  • D
    Jeremy Irons

Question 21

James Bond did as his author quoth and "never said 'no' to adventure." Who first introduced the James Bond character to the world in his 1953 thriller Casino Royale?

  • A
    Ian McKellan
  • B
    Ian Fleming
  • C
    Charles Dickens
  • D
    George Orwell

Question 22

With one of his most famous lines being but four words – "You shall not pass!" – what British actor was knighted for his body of work, which includes Shakespearean theatre and his role in The Lord of the Rings?

  • A
    Gary Oldman
  • B
    Michael Caine
  • C
    Ian McKellan
  • D
    John Wayne

Question 23

Known as "the Bard," Shakespeare was one of the world's greatest poets and playwrights, known for works like Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet. Where was he from?

  • A
    South Lanarkshire
  • B
    Sheffield
  • C
    Stratford-Upon-Avon
  • D
    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Question 24

Writing "You see, but you do not observe," Sherlock Holmes and James Watson are his famous creations, as is the novel The Hound of the Baskervilles. Name the author.

  • A
    E.M. Forster
  • B
    Arthur Conan Doyle
  • C
    Thomas Hardy
  • D
    Mark Twain

Question 25

The Spice Girls knew "what you want, what you really, really want." Which of the following is NOT a Spice Girls hit from the 1990s?

  • A
    "Waterfalls"
  • B
    "Say You'll Be There"
  • C
    "2 Become 1"
  • D
    "Wannabe"

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