Main content

Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    Julius Caesar

    Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe nominates ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar.

  2. Claude McKay

    Theatre director, actress and writer Yvonne Brewster nominates poet Claude McKay.

  3. Mata Hari

    Fiona Bruce chooses the femme fatale, international spy and exotic dancer, Mata Hari.

  4. Billie Holiday

    Singer and actress Pauline Black chooses a jazz legend, the singer Billie Holiday.

  5. Marie Curie

    Pallab Ghosh explains how Marie Curie achieved fame through her work on radioactivity.

  6. Anton Chekhov

    Author William Boyd champions playwright Anton Chekhov's claim to greatness.

  7. Tintin

    Nick Danziger breaks the programme's rules with comic book adventurer, Tintin.

  8. Joe Strummer

    With Matthew Parris. Phill Jupitus nominates former Clash frontman Joe Strummer.

  9. Pope John Paul II

    Conservative MP Ann Widdicombe nominates the last Pope, John Paul II.

  10. William Beveridge

    Anne Fine nominates the author of the report that became the basis for the Welfare State.

  11. Martha Gellhorn

    Journalist Camilla Wright nominates the war reporter Martha Gellhorn for greatness.

  12. Richard Beckinsale

    Alan Davies nominates actor Richard Beckinsale who tragically died aged just 31.

  13. Joan Littlewood

    Actor Victor Spinetti explains his admiration for director Joan Littlewood.

  14. Albert Einstein

    Professor Kathy Sykes nominates Albert Einstein.

  15. Millicent Garrett Fawcett

    Feminist campaigner Lesley Abdela discusses the extraordinary suffragist leader.

  16. John H Hammond

    Joe Boyd shines a spotlight on the career of record producer John H Hammond.

  17. Charles Darwin

    Businessman and academic, Adair Turner looks at the life of Charles Darwin.

  18. Nina Simone

    Joanna Macgregor nominates the chanteuse and civil rights activist Nina Simone.

  19. Stanley Baldwin

    Former minister Lord John Biffen nominates Conservative Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.

  20. Julia Ward-Howe

    Elaine Showalter nominates the 19th-century American writer Julia Ward-Howe.

  21. WH Auden

    Broadcaster Jeremy Vine chooses the poet, WH Auden.

  22. Eleanor Roosevelt

    Civil liberties lawyer Helena Kennedy nominates Eleanor Roosevelt.

  23. Max Miller

    Garry Bushell nominates the 'cheeky chappie' who portrayed the voice of the working class

  24. Leon Trotsky

    Christopher Hitchens nominates Leon Trotsky, hero of the Russian Revolution.

  25. Robin Day

    News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy nominates his illustrious predecessor Robin Day.

  26. W G Grace

    Piers Morgan nominates W G Grace as the greatest English cricketer of all time.

  27. Tamara Karsavina

    Broadcaster and agony aunt Anna Raeburn nominates the ballerina Tamara Karsavina.

  28. Ignaz Semmelweis

    Writer Frances Cairncross nominates the forgotten hero of medicine Ignaz Semmelweis.

  29. Johnny Weissmuller

    Athlete Duncan Goodhew nominates the athlete-turned-actor Johnny Weissmuller.

  30. Ella Fitzgerald

    Ivan Massow nominates the great jazz singer, with expert advice from Cleo Laine.

  2. 1
  3. …
  4. 15
  5. 16
  6. 17
  7. 18
  8. 19