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Podcast

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Updated: weekly
Episodes available: indefinitely

Episodes to download

  •

    Aubrey Beardsley

    Tue 15 Jan 2013

    Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.

  • John Stuart Mill

    Tue 8 Jan 2013

    Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.

  • Grigori Rasputin

    New Year's Day 2013

    Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Christmas Day 2012

    Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

  • Jean Cocteau

    Tue 11 Dec 2012

    Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.

  • Dick Francis

    Tue 4 Dec 2012

    Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.

  • Edith Wharton

    Tue 25 Sep 2012

    Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.

  • George Orwell

    Tue 18 Sep 2012

    Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.

  • Karel Reisz

    Tue 11 Sep 2012

    Film-maker Stephen Frears champions his mentor, Karel Reisz.

  • Stan Laurel

    Tue 4 Sep 2012

    Comedian and performer Ken Dodd explains how Stan Laurel inspired him to go into comedy.

  • Juvenal

    Tue 28 Aug 2012

    Matthew Parris and his guest Natalie Haynes encounter the Latin poet Juvenal.

  • Leonard Maguire

    Tue 21 Aug 2012

    Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.

  • Walter Scott

    Tue 14 Aug 2012

    Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.

  • Josephine Bonaparte

    Tue 7 Aug 2012

    Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.

  • Henry Cooper

    Tue 31 Jul 2012

    Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.

  • Sebastian Walker

    Tue 22 May 2012

    Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.

  • Goya

    Tue 15 May 2012

    Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of Spanish painter Goya.

  • John Ford

    Tue 8 May 2012

    Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.

  • Edward Said

    Tue 1 May 2012

    Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.

  • George Lyward

    Tue 24 Apr 2012

    Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.

  • Gertrude Stein

    Tue 17 Apr 2012

    Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.

  • Oscar Wilde

    Tue 10 Apr 2012

    Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.

  • Dylan Thomas

    Tue 3 Apr 2012

    Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.

  • Razia Sultana

    Tue 31 Jan 2012

    Conservative politician Baroness Warsi nominates a 13th-century Indian princess.

  • Gracie Allen

    Tue 17 Jan 2012

    Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.

  • Joseph Rotblat

    Tue 10 Jan 2012

    Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.

  • Lonnie Donegan

    Tue 3 Jan 2012

    Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.

  • Ludwig II of Bavaria

    Tue 27 Dec 2011

    Brian Sewell on his love of 'Mad' King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

  • Thomas Hobbes

    Tue 20 Dec 2011

    Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.

  • Ludwig Wittgenstein

    Tue 13 Dec 2011

    Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.

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Great Rock and Roll Lives

Great Rock and Roll Lives

Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday

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