X-Nico

unusual facts about Notes and Queries


Arthur Ashpitel

He contributed biographies of architects to the Encyclopædia Britannica, and papers to the Royal Institute of British Architects, and was a regular contributor to Notes and Queries and the Owl.


Anne of Geierstein

In 1875, less than fifty years after the publication of Scott's novel, Sir Henry Ponsonby felt compelled to write to Notes and Queries to ask for the foundation of the superstition, and received several different answers, none of which mention Anne of Geierstein.

The Folklore Society

The foundation was prompted by a suggestion made by Eliza Gutch in the pages of Notes and Queries.


see also

Benjamin Wrench

Benjamin Wrench (1778–1843), was an actor, born in 1778 in London, where his father occupied ‘a lucrative appointment in the Exchequer.’ He seems to have been grandson of Sir Benjamin Wrench, M.D., of Norwich (d. 1747, aged 82) (see Notes and Queries, 5th ser. v. 48).

Saint Swithun

Eliza Gutch (1840–1931), who wrote to Notes and Queries under the pseudonym St Swithin.