Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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Clement Attlee
Bookseller Tim Waterstone and biographer Ben Pimlott discuss the former prime minister.
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Marshall McLuhan
Kim Henry Veltman joins director Jonathan Miller to discuss the Canadian writer on media.
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Henri Matisse
Writer Frank Delaney and biographer Hilary Spurling discuss the painter Henri Matisse
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Sylvia Pankhurst
Barbara Castle and biographer Mary Davis discuss the life of suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst.
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Ernest Hemingway
Monty Python's Michael Palin chooses the American writer, Ernest Hemingway.
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Friedrich Nietzsche
Cartoonist Ralph Steadman and translator Adam Czerniawski discuss the philosopher's life.
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Ernest Hemingway
Michael Palin nominates Ernest Hemingway as his Great Life.
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Michelin Brothers
Sir Terence Conran nominates the Michelin brothers, makers of the pneumatic tyre.
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Emma Kirkby on Henry Purcell
Soprano Emma Kirkby discusses the life of composer Henry Purcell with Matthew Parris
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Sir Ernest Shackleton
The polar explorer's life is scrutinised by Rosie Boycott and his granddaughter Alexandra.
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John Craven on Brunel
John Craven proposes Victorian Engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as a great life.
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HG Wells
Writer Fay Weldon and biographer Vincent Brome discuss the life of the visionary novelist.
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Isy Suttie on Jake Thackray
Isy Suttie chooses Yorkshire-born singer songwriter Jake Thackray
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Deborah Moggach on Arnold Bennett
The author Deborah Moggach talks about the life of Potteries writer Arnold Bennett.
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Marcus du Sautoy on Jorge Luis Borges
Blind Argentinian writer Borges is championed by Marcus de Sautoy.
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Sir Mark Walport on Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, is championed by Sir Mark Walport.
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Sarah Vine on Dante
Sarah Vine chooses Dante, author of the Italian literary masterpiece the Divine Comedy
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Evelyn Glennie on Jacqueline Du Pre
English Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre is championed by solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
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DJ Sara Cox nominates singer Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes
Sara Cox nominates the American hip hop artist and rapper Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.
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Mark Constantine on Kahlil Gibran
Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.
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Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray
Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents
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David Baddiel on John Updike
Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.
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Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier
Architect, Sir David Chipperfield, chooses Le Corbusier
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Meg Rosoff on Isabella Bird
Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird
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Michael Horovitz on Allen Ginsberg
Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.
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Ricky Ross on Hank Williams
Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.
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Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery
Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
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Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck
Sir Brendan Barber champions John Steinbeck.
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Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace
TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.
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Peter Bowles on George Devine
Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.
