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Newton Minow, Vicky Neale, Lois Keith, Gerald Rose

Matthew Bannister on broadcasting regulator Newton Minow, mathematician Vicky Neale, campaigner Lois Keith and illustrator Gerald Rose.

Matthew Bannister on

Newton Minow, who was just 35 when he was appointed chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission by President John F. Kennedy. He gave a famous speech describing TV as a β€œvast wasteland” and helped to set up the Public Broadcasting Service.

Vicky Neale, the mathematician who responded to her diagnosis with cancer by launching a podcast discussing the role of maths in cancer research.

Lois Keith, who campaigned for equal rights for disabled people.

Gerald Rose, the children’s book illustrator who won the Kate Greenaway Medal for his work on β€œOld Winkle and the Seagulls”

Interviewee: Nell Minow
Interviewee: Professor Hannah Fry
Interviewee: Charlie Gilderdale
Interviewee: Richard Rose
Interviewee: Joanna Owen
Interviewee: Dea Birkett

Producer: Gareth Nelson-Davies

Archive used:

Newt Minow interview, Talk of the Nation, NPR, 06/09/2006; Newton Minow's interview, PBS News Hour, YouTube, uploaded 08/05/2021; Newton Minow on his 1961 "Vast Wasteland" speech, Emmy TV Legends, 04/05/2011; President Obama Awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom 2016, The Obama White House, YouTube, uploaded 22/11/2016; Vicky Neale, Maths+Cancer podcast, University of Oxford, date unknown - source: oxford.shorthandstories.com/maths-plus-cancer/ ; Vicky Neale appearance on The Infinity Monkey Cage, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4, 07/07/2014; Vicky Neale, Oxford Mathematics, YouTube uploaded 27/05/2022;

Available now

28 minutes

Newton Minow

The broadcasting regulator who was just 35 when he was appointed chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission by President John F. Kennedy. He gave a famous speech describing TV as a β€œvast wasteland” and helped to set up the Public Broadcasting Service.

Last Word spoke to his daughter Nell Minow

Born 17 January 1926, died 6 May 2023, aged 97.Β 

Dr Vicky Neale

The mathematician Β who responded to her diagnosis with cancer by launching a podcast discussing the role of maths in cancer research.

Last Word spoke to mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry and her friend Charlie Gilderdale.

Born 1984, died 3 May 2023, aged 39.Β  Β 

Lois Keith

The writer who also campaigned for equal rights for disabled people..

Last Word spoke to her friend Joanna Owen and the writer Dea Birkett. Β 

Born 4 January 1950, died 10 April 2023, aged 73Β 

Gerald Rose

The children’s book illustrator who won the Kate Greenaway Medal for his work on β€œOld Winkle and the Seagulls”

Last Word spoke to his son Richard Rose. Β 

Born 27 July 1935, died 5th May 2023, aged 87.Β Β 

Broadcasts

  • Fri 19 May 2023 16:00
  • Sun 21 May 2023 20:30

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