Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ? Read more
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Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?
John Stuart Mill
Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.
Aubrey Beardsley
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.
Nancy Mitford
Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford, author of Love in a Cold Climate. From 2013.
William Robinson
Gardener Carol Klein's choice is wild garden hero, William Robinson. With Matthew Parris.
George Bell
Peter Hitchens nominates George Bell, who condemned the bombing of Germany.
Galileo
Bobby Friction champions the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
Kenny Everett
Chris Tarrant chooses one of the great pioneers of modern radio - Kenny Everett.
David Livingstone
John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Gyles Brandreth praises the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Bill Shankly
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
Salvador Dali
John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.
Primo Levi
Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.
Florence Nightingale
Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.
Russell Grant on Ivor Novello
Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.
Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti
Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti
Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore
Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.
Julie Burchill on Ava Gardner
The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.
Paul Mason on Louise Michel
Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.
Peter Bowles on George Devine
Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.
Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace
TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.
Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck
Sir Brendan Barber champions John Steinbeck.
Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery
Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
Ricky Ross on Hank Williams
Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.
Michael Horovitz on Allen Ginsberg
Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.
Meg Rosoff on Isabella Bird
Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird
Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier
Architect, Sir David Chipperfield, chooses Le Corbusier
David Baddiel on John Updike
Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.
Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray
Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents
Mark Constantine on Kahlil Gibran
Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.
DJ Sara Cox nominates singer Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes
Sara Cox nominates the American hip hop artist and rapper Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.