Main content

Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    George Washington

    British General Sir Michael Rose selects 'Father of the American Nation' George Washington

  2. Elizabeth David

    Chef and novelist Prue Leith chooses cookery writer Elizabeth David.

  3. Brian Clough

    John Motson nominates former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough.

  4. Lord Denning

    Blur drummer David Rowntree discusses the life of Lord Denning.

  5. John Cage

    Conceptual artist Michael Craig-Martin talks about avant-garde composer John Cage.

  6. Sir Alec Issigonis

    Engineer Alex Moulton and the Earl of Snowdon talk about the life of Alec Issigonis.

  7. Rembrandt

    Artist and sculptor Maggi Hambling nominates Rembrandt as her choice of a great life.

  8. Elvis Presley

    Northern Ireland politician Lord David Trimble chooses Elvis Presley.

  9. Lilian Baylis

    Jude Kelly nominates legendary Edwardian theatre producer Lilian Baylis.

  10. George Bernard Shaw

    Dr Phil Hammond chooses the Nobel Prize-winning playwright, George Bernard Shaw.

  11. Julius Caesar

    Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe nominates ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar.

  12. Claude McKay

    Theatre director, actress and writer Yvonne Brewster nominates poet Claude McKay.

  13. Mata Hari

    Fiona Bruce chooses the femme fatale, international spy and exotic dancer, Mata Hari.

  14. Billie Holiday

    Singer and actress Pauline Black chooses a jazz legend, the singer Billie Holiday.

  15. Marie Curie

    Pallab Ghosh explains how Marie Curie achieved fame through her work on radioactivity.

  16. Anton Chekhov

    Author William Boyd champions playwright Anton Chekhov's claim to greatness.

  17. Tintin

    Nick Danziger breaks the programme's rules with comic book adventurer, Tintin.

  18. Joe Strummer

    With Matthew Parris. Phill Jupitus nominates former Clash frontman Joe Strummer.

  19. Pope John Paul II

    Conservative MP Ann Widdicombe nominates the last Pope, John Paul II.

  20. William Beveridge

    Anne Fine nominates the author of the report that became the basis for the Welfare State.

  21. Martha Gellhorn

    Journalist Camilla Wright nominates the war reporter Martha Gellhorn for greatness.

  22. Richard Beckinsale

    Alan Davies nominates actor Richard Beckinsale who tragically died aged just 31.

  23. Joan Littlewood

    Actor Victor Spinetti explains his admiration for director Joan Littlewood.

  24. Albert Einstein

    Professor Kathy Sykes nominates Albert Einstein.

  25. Millicent Garrett Fawcett

    Feminist campaigner Lesley Abdela discusses the extraordinary suffragist leader.

  26. John H Hammond

    Joe Boyd shines a spotlight on the career of record producer John H Hammond.

  27. Charles Darwin

    Businessman and academic, Adair Turner looks at the life of Charles Darwin.

  28. Nina Simone

    Joanna Macgregor nominates the chanteuse and civil rights activist Nina Simone.

  29. Stanley Baldwin

    Former minister Lord John Biffen nominates Conservative Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.

  30. Julia Ward-Howe

    Elaine Showalter nominates the 19th-century American writer Julia Ward-Howe.

  2. 1
  3. …
  4. 16
  5. 17
  6. 18
  7. 19
  8. 20