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Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    Josephine Bonaparte

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

  2. Henry Cooper

    Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.

  3. Sebastian Walker

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

  4. Goya

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

  5. John Ford

    Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.

  6. Edward Said

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

  7. George Lyward

    Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.

  8. Gertrude Stein

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

  9. Oscar Wilde

    Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.

  10. Dylan Thomas

    Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.

  11. Razia Sultana

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

  12. Vera Brittain

    Baroness Shirley Williams discusses her mother, the feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain.

  13. Gracie Allen

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

  14. Joseph Rotblat

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

  15. Lonnie Donegan

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

  16. Ludwig II of Bavaria

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

  17. Thomas Hobbes

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

  18. Ludwig Wittgenstein

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

  19. Philip K Dick

    Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet

  20. Gerald Durrell

    Former footballer Graeme le Saux champions conservationist Gerald Durrell.

  21. Hildegard Von Bingen

    Cerys Matthews on why 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as a great life.

  22. Edwin Lutyens

    Simon Jenkins proposes Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph.

  23. Hans Fallada

    Fast Show comic Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he is fascinated by writer Hans Fallada

  24. William Shakespeare

    Poetry curator Daisy Goodwin nominates the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.

  25. Eduardo Paolozzi

    Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates the Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.

  26. Emily Dickinson

    The reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson is the choice of fellow poet Gwyneth Lewis.

  27. Kirsty MacColl

    Broadcaster Janice Long champions the life and work of singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl.

  28. Graham Greene

    War reporter Tim Butcher chooses an exploration into the strange world of Graham Greene.

  29. Harold Pinter

    Matthew Parris introduces the life of writer Harold Pinter, chosen by Diane Abbott MP.

  30. Jack Johnson

    Matthew Syed chooses the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion.

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