Poet Simon Armitage nominates Joy Division singer Ian Curtis. Read more
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Ian Curtis
Poet Simon Armitage nominates Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
Joyce Grenfell
Arabella Weir nominates Joyce Grenfell. Biographer Janie Hampton assists.
Graham Greene
War reporter Tim Butcher chooses an exploration into the strange world of Graham Greene.
Kirsty MacColl
Broadcaster Janice Long champions the life and work of singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl.
Eduardo Paolozzi
Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates the Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
William Shakespeare
Poetry curator Daisy Goodwin nominates the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
Hans Fallada
Fast Show comic Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he is fascinated by writer Hans Fallada
Hildegard Von Bingen
Cerys Matthews on why 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as a great life.
Gerald Durrell
Former footballer Graeme le Saux champions conservationist Gerald Durrell.
Emily Dickinson
The reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson is the choice of fellow poet Gwyneth Lewis.
Edwin Lutyens
Simon Jenkins proposes Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph.
Philip K Dick
Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.
Thomas Hobbes
Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
Ludwig II of Bavaria
Brian Sewell on his love of 'Mad' King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Lonnie Donegan
Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.
Gracie Allen
Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.
Joseph Rotblat
Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.
Razia Sultana
Conservative politician Baroness Warsi nominates a 13th-century Indian princess.
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.
Oscar Wilde
Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.
Gertrude Stein
Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.
George Lyward
Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.
Edward Said
Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.
John Ford
Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.
Goya
Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of Spanish painter Goya.
Sebastian Walker
Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.
Henry Cooper
Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.
Josephine Bonaparte
Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.
Walter Scott
Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.
Leonard Maguire
Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.