Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
-
John Craven on Brunel
John Craven proposes Victorian Engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as a great life.
-
HG Wells
Writer Fay Weldon and biographer Vincent Brome discuss the life of the visionary novelist.
-
Isy Suttie on Jake Thackray
Isy Suttie chooses Yorkshire-born singer songwriter Jake Thackray
-
Deborah Moggach on Arnold Bennett
The author Deborah Moggach talks about the life of Potteries writer Arnold Bennett.
-
Marcus du Sautoy on Jorge Luis Borges
Blind Argentinian writer Borges is championed by Marcus de Sautoy.
-
Sir Mark Walport on Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, is championed by Sir Mark Walport.
-
Sarah Vine on Dante
Sarah Vine chooses Dante, author of the Italian literary masterpiece the Divine Comedy
-
Evelyn Glennie on Jacqueline Du Pre
The English Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre is championed by solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
-
DJ Sara Cox nominates singer Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes
Sara Cox nominates the American hip hop artist and rapper Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.
-
Mark Constantine on Kahlil Gibran
Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.
-
Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray
Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents
-
David Baddiel on John Updike
Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.
-
Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier
Architect, Sir David Chipperfield, chooses Le Corbusier
-
Meg Rosoff on Isabella Bird
Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird
-
Michael Horovitz on Allen Ginsberg
Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.
-
Ricky Ross on Hank Williams
Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.
-
Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery
Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
-
Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck
Sir Brendan Barber champions John Steinbeck.
-
Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace
TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.
-
Peter Bowles on George Devine
Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.
-
Paul Mason on Louise Michel
Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.
-
Julie Burchill on Ava Gardner
The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.
-
Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore
Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.
-
Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti
Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti
-
Russell Grant on Ivor Novello
Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.
-
Florence Nightingale
Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.
-
Primo Levi
Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.
-
Salvador Dali
John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.
-
Bill Shankly
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
-
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Gyles Brandreth praises the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.