Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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Monica Ali chooses Richard Francis Burton
The author Monica Ali champions the life of the explorer Richard Francis Burton.
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Captain Henry Morgan
Writer and photographer Lucinda Lambton chooses the supposed pirate captain.
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George Washington Williams
Ade Adepitan champions the life of George Washington Williams.
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Michael Howard on Elizabeth I
Michael Howard, Conservative Party former leader, tells Matthew Parris about Elizabeth I.
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Michael Collins
Film producer Lord Puttnam chooses the Irish nationalist leader Michael Collins.
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Vicky Pryce on Melina Mercouri
Economist Vicky Pryce nominates the Greek film star and politician Melina Mercouri.
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Edward Elgar
Writer, broadcaster and charity founder Marjorie Wallace chooses composer Edward Elgar.
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Ian McKellen on Edmund Hillary
Sir Ian McKellen nominates mountaineer Edmund Hillary as his inspirational figure.
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Marvin Gaye
Innovative soul singer Marvin Gaye is the choice of historian and broadcaster Tim Marlow.
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Leonard Woolf
4 Extra Debut. Jilly Goolden nominates writer and political thinker Leonard Woolf.
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Vivien Leigh
Barrister Christina Gorna chooses Oscar-winning Vivien Leigh.
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Robert FitzRoy
Baroness Margaret Jay chooses pioneering meteorologist Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy.
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Gilbert and Sullivan
Dillie Keane chooses the musical duo Gilbert and Sullivan.
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Joseph Banks
Scientist Lord Robert May nominates the naturalist and botanist, Joseph Banks.
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Benjamin Disraeli
Kenneth Clarke chooses the Victorian politician, Benjamin Disraeli.
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Val McDermid on PD James
Matthew Parris talks to crime writer Val McDermid about the life of PD James.
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Dr Samuel Johnson
Poet Kit Wright chooses author and creator of the English dictionary, Dr Samuel Johnson.
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David Blunkett on Louis Braille
Matthew Parris hears from David Blunkett about the life of Louis Braille. From 2015.
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Octavia Hill
Trade unionist and politician Brenda Dean chooses National Trust founder Octavia Hill.
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US Ambassador Matthew Barzun on JG Winant
Matthew Parris meets US Ambassador Matthew Barzun to talk about his wartime predecessor.
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Lyndon Johnson
Veteran journalist Charles Wheeler chooses the USA's 36th president.
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Antonia Quirke on Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando - greatest actor of the twentieth century?
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Nelson
Explorer Benedict Allen chooses Horatio Nelson.
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Wendy Cope on John Clare
Matthew Parris talks to Wendy Cope about her poetic hero John Clare. From 2015.
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Tom Paine
Writer and political activist George Monbiot chooses 18th-century revolutionary Tom Paine.
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Dame Helen Ghosh on James Lees-Milne
Matthew Parris talks to the National Trust's Dame Helen Ghosh about James Lees-Milne.
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Tchaikovsky
Economist Ruth Lea chooses the great Russian composer. Stephen Johnson adds his expertise.
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Kulvinder Ghir on Zoran Music
Comedian and actor Kulvinder Ghir nominates the life of the artist Zoran Music.
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Mary Kingsley
Journalist Ann Leslie chooses the pioneering writer and explorer Mary Kingsley.
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Rachel Johnson on Ottoline Morrell
Rachel Johnson author and journalist champions the life of Ottoline Morrell.
