Q 01/05

Which science-fiction franchise's creator drew on Horatio Hornblower when shaping its starship captains?

A) Star Wars

B) Star Trek

C) Babylon 5

D) Doctor Who

Answer · why

B) Star Trek

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was influenced by Hornblower while creating both James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard.

Q 02/05

C. S. Forester gave Horatio Hornblower a birth date matching the adoption of which historic document?

A) Articles of Confederation

B) US Bill of Rights

C) Declaration of Independence

D) Declaration of the Rights of Man

Answer · why

C) Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4 July 1776, the birthday Forester chose so that Hornblower would begin his naval career in wartime.

Q 03/05

Which Hollywood star played the title role in Raoul Walsh's 1951 film Captain Horatio Hornblower?

A) Gregory Peck

B) Stewart Granger

C) Charlton Heston

D) David Niven

Answer · why

A) Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck was borrowed from producer David O. Selznick for the part, and the film became the most popular Warner Bros. release of its year.

Q 04/05

Which card game does Horatio Hornblower play for money to survive poverty during the Peace of Amiens?

A) Piquet

B) Faro

C) Cribbage

D) Whist

Answer · why

D) Whist

Whist suited his gift for mathematics, and his skill at the table so impressed a Lord of the Admiralty that it helped confirm his promotion.

Q 05/05

Lady Barbara, Hornblower's second wife, is the fictional sister of which real British general?

A) Duke of Marlborough

B) Duke of Wellington

C) Sir John Moore

D) Lord Raglan

Answer · why

B) Duke of Wellington

The Duke of Wellington, then plain Sir Arthur Wellesley, gains an invented younger sister who boards Hornblower's frigate as a passenger in Panama.