Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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Rudyard Kipling
John Major discusses the life of Rudyard Kipling, poet to the British Empire.
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Harry Houdini
Paul Daniels explores the life of Harry Houdini, with help from biographer William Kalush.
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Miriam Makeba
Kate Humble discusses the South African singer and anti-apartheid activist, Miriam Makeba.
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The A-Z of Dr Johnson
Politician Boris Johnson chooses the creator of the English dictionary, Dr Samuel Johnson.
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Sir Kyffin Williams
Rolf Harris discusses the life of the Welsh painter Sir Kyffin Williams.
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Freya Stark
Travel writer Dervla Murphy discusses the life of another woman traveller, Freya Stark.
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John Cornford
George Galloway chooses British poet and political activist John Cornford.
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Joe Slovo
David Miliband discusses the life of Joe Slovo, a leading member of the ANC.
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Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Andrew Motion champions the life of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate for over 40 years
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Giovanni Falcone
Journalist Misha Glenny remembers the life of anti-Mafia campaigner Giovanni Falcone.
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Fred Astaire
Dr Michael O'Donnell discusses celebrated singer, actor and choreographer Fred Astaire.
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John Coltrane
Musician Andy Sheppard chooses influential saxophonist John Coltrane.
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Frank Sinatra
Broadcaster and DJ Colin Murray chooses Frank Sinatra.
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Carl Gustav Jung
Ruby Wax discusses the life and work of Carl Gustav Jung.
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Sir Thomas Beecham
David Mellor promotes the life of conductor Sir Thomas Beecham.
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Roy Jenkins
Journalist Polly Toynbee chooses one of the most noted of post-war politicians Roy Jenkins
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Napoleon Bonaparte
Television and radio presenter Stuart Hall discusses his lifelong hero, Napoleon Bonaparte
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Robert Kennedy
Ken Livingstone discusses his hero, US politician Robert Kennedy.
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Margot Fonteyn
Horticulturalist Rachel De Thame champions her heroine, the ballerina Margot Fonteyn.
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Tony Hancock
Poet Pam Ayres chooses the lad himself, Tony Hancock.
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Bette Davis
Tracy-Ann Oberman champions the life of one of the silver screen's most enduring icons.
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Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Actor David Soul champions the life of German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
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Beachcomber
The Snowman author Raymond Briggs chooses JB Morton, aka Beachcomber.
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Billy Marsh
Michael Grade and William G Stewart champion the life of theatrical agent Billy Marsh.
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Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti is nominated by the music promoter Harvey Goldsmith.
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William Hogarth
Eighteenth-century satirist and painter William Hogarth is nominated by Ian Hislop.
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Lady Hester Stanhope
Deborah Meaden nominates the Georgian hostess, diplomat and spy Lady Hester Stanhope.
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Field Marshal Bill Slim
General Mike Jackson nominates Field Marshal Bill Slim, leader of the WW2 Burma campaign.
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David Ervine
Lesley Riddoch nominates former Loyalist paramilitary turned politician David Ervine.
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Henry VII
Former chancellor George Osborne nominates Henry VII, founder of the Tudor dynasty.
