Bob Geldof discovered gravity, say children
Some children believe Bob Geldof discovered gravity and the Somme is a world famous painting, according to new research.
The findings emerged from a study of 5,000 children, which revealed most do not have a clue about basic historical facts.
One in 20 picked former Boom Town Rats singer Geldof instead of Sir Isaac Newton when asked to name the man who discovered gravity.
And 12 per cent of youngsters thought the Somme was a famous painting, rather than the site of the bloodiest battle of the First World War.
And one in 20 were under the false impression that Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was written by Harry Potter author, JK Rowling.
A quarter did not know William Shakespeare wrote King Lear and nearly two thirds did not know when the slave trade was abolished in Britain.
“There seems to be a lot of confusion when it comes to children and historical events,” said Steve Conway for Premier Inn which polled 5,000 children aged between six and 15.
“Isaac Newton would not be happy to learn Bob Geldof is getting the credit for unveiling the concept of gravity.
