Literary Merton Quiz. Merton has many links to the world of

literature , from novelists and poets,

to publishers, playwrights, critics

and authors of children’s fiction.

Test your knowledge of the borough’s literary links with this lighthearted quiz.

SECTION 1:

Samuel Johnson was a regular visitor to Merton.

Which of these ground-breaking books did he

compile over an 8 year period?

C) Dictionary of the English Language

SECTION 2:

The playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan is said to have

lived in Merton between 1770 and 1780.

Fill in the gaps to name two of his most famous works.

SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

THE RIVALS

SECTION 3:

Author Georgette Heyer was born in Wimbledon.

1. How many books did she write?

D) 50

2. How old was she when she wrote her first book

“The Black Moth”?

A) 18

3. For what sort of books was Georgette famous?

D) Historical novels

4. With what other type of fiction was Heyer most associated?

Detective stories

5. In which period were most of her novels set?

B) Regency period

SECTION 4:

Elizabeth Beresford famously wrote the

popular series of books about the Wombles.

1. How did the Wombles help the environment?

They collected and recycled litter

2. On which Common did they live?

B) Wimbledon Common

3. Which current football club has a Womble Mascot?

AFC WIMBLEDON - their mascot is called HAYDON

4. Fill in the gaps to name these famous wombles.

TOMSK; MADAME CHOLET; ORINOCO; WELLINGTON; TOBERMORY

SECTION 5:

Children’s author and llustrator, Raymond Briggs was born in Ashen Grove.

1. What is the title of his most famous book?

CLUE: Children enjoy making one on cold winter weather.

THE SNOWMAN ( He has also written about Father Christmas )

2. His graphic memoir about the life story of his parents was also turned into an

animated film. What was it called?

ETHEL AND ERNEST

3. Which part of Merton is featured in his books?

D) Wimbledon Park

SECTION 6:

Robert Baden Powell is associated with the

Wimbledon area.

1. With which famous building on

Wimbledon Common is he linked?

WIMBLEDON WINDMILL

2. What was his profession? He was…

B) An army officer

3. Complete the title of his famous book, which launched a worldwide

youth movement.

SCOUTING FOR BOYS

SECTION 7:

Poet Wilfred Owen is linked to the Wimbledon area.

1. Which conflict did he famously write about?

B) First World War

2. Which famous poet did he befriend at

Craiglockhart Hospital near Edinburgh?

C) Siegfried Sassoon

3. Complete the title of Owen’s famous poem

ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH

SECTION 8:

Leading publisher John Murray III lived in

Wimbledon. His publishing house represented many

leading 19th century authors.

Can you complete their names?

JANE AUSTEN ( Romance )

SIR WALTER SCOTT ( Historical novels )

LORD BYRON ( Poet )

WASHINGTON IRVING ( Essayist )

SECTION 9: LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS

1. Robert Graves was born in Wimbledon,

Complete the title of his famous

First World War novel.

GOODBYE TO ALL THAT

2. Whilst living in Wimbledon, Thomas Hughes wrote a famous book about bullying

and hardships in a Victorian Boarding School. What is it called?

TOM BROWN’S SCHOOLDAYS

3. Which famous English Civil War story was written by Wimbledon resident

Captain Marryat?

CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST

4. Chick-lit author Madeleine Wickham, aka Sophie Kinsella ,was educated near

Wimbledon. She has famously written about the adventures of a …

C) Shopaholic

5. During the 17th century, Romantic poet, John Donne, lived and wrote in

Mitcham. At which famous cathedral was he later appointed Dean?

B ) St. Paul’s Cathedral

6. Which Rudyard Kipling poem is inscribed above the player’s entrance to

Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis Club?

IF

SECTION 10:

The following authors and poets have Merton associations.

Can you match their name to their famous book or poem?

ALGERNON SWINBURNE wrote POEMS AND BALLADS

MOLLIE CHAPPELL wrote DEAREST NEIGHBOUR

MAVIS CHEEK wrote PARLOUR GAMES

ETHEL MANNIN wrote THE PELICAN

EDNA O’BRIEN wrote COUNTRY GIRLS

MARGARET OLIPHANT wrote THE CHRONICLES OF CARLINGFORD

DOROTHY SHEPPARD wrote WALLACE THE WORM

JEAN STUBBS wrote THE ROSE GROWER

ELIZABETH WAITE wrote SKINNY LIZZIE

AXEL MUNTHE wrote THE STORY OF SAN MICHELE