Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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David Livingstone
John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
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Kenny Everett
Chris Tarrant chooses one of the great pioneers of modern radio - Kenny Everett.
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Galileo
Bobby Friction champions the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
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George Bell
Peter Hitchens nominates George Bell, who condemned the bombing of Germany.
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William Robinson
Gardener Carol Klein's choice is wild garden hero, William Robinson. With Matthew Parris.
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Nancy Mitford
Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford, author of Love in a Cold Climate. From 2013.
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Aubrey Beardsley
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.
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John Stuart Mill
Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.
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Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
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Prince Alamayu
Lemn Sissay chooses Prince Alamayu who, like him, was Ethiopian but fostered in Britain.
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Jean Cocteau
Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.
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Dick Francis
Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.
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Edith Wharton
Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.
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George Orwell
Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.
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Karel Reisz
Film-maker Stephen Frears champions his mentor, Karel Reisz.
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Stan Laurel
Comedian and performer Ken Dodd explains how Stan Laurel inspired him to go into comedy.
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Juvenal
Matthew Parris and his guest Natalie Haynes encounter the Latin poet Juvenal.
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Leonard Maguire
Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.
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Walter Scott
Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.
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Josephine Bonaparte
Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.
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Henry Cooper
Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.
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Sebastian Walker
Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.
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Goya
Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of Spanish painter Goya.
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John Ford
Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.
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Edward Said
Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.
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George Lyward
Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.
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Gertrude Stein
Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.
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Oscar Wilde
Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.
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Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.