Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
-
![]()
Peggy Seeger on her husband Ewan MacColl
Ewan MacColl - folk singer and labour activist - was born Jimmy Miller in Salford in 1915.
-
![]()
Josiah Wedgwood, master potter
Tristram Hunt on Josiah Wedgwood, vase maker general to the universe!
-
![]()
Frantz Fanon
The anti-colonial writer and psychiatrist from Martinique is the choice of Lindsay Johns
-
![]()
Althea Gibson
The first black tennis player to win Wimbledon is the choice of Professor Devi Sridhar.
-
![]()
Yehudi Menuhin
Violinist Tasmin Little on her hero, Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
-
![]()
Hans Christian Andersen
Author of The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes, he was 'a very strange orchid'
-
![]()
The Surprise Lives
A runaway rollercoaster of Great Lives.
-
![]()
Rosie Millard on Edward III
Rosie tells Matthew Parris that Edward III was a cultural hero who deserves greater fame.
-
![]()
Ben Miller on William Hazlitt
Actor and comedian Ben Miller nominates essayist William Hazlitt.
-
![]()
Arlo Parks on Elliott Smith
Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks nominates the young life of singer Elliott Smith.
-
![]()
Jonathan Dimbleby on Harry Hopkins
President Roosevelt's right hand man in World War Two, Harry Hopkins.
-
![]()
KT Tunstall on Ivor Cutler
Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humorist Ivor Cutler
-
![]()
Black and British pioneer Kenny Lynch
Veteran black and British entertainer Kenny Lynch.
-
![]()
Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown picks Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.
-
![]()
The Talented Mr Ripley author, Patricia Highsmith
Sometimes known as 'the stalker's balladeer', she is director Jonathan Kent's choice.
-
![]()
Rights activist Cesar Chavez nominated by Cori Crider
Human rights lawyer Cori Crider explains why she is inspired by the life of Cesar Chavez.
-
![]()
Caroline Catz on Delia Derbyshire
Actor Caroline Catz chooses Delia Derbyshire, who realised the theme to Doctor Who.
-
![]()
David Jonsson on Jean Michel Basquiat
Actor David Jonsson champions artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
-
![]()
Rob Rinder on Jessica Mitford
Jessica Mitford is championed by Robert Rinder.
-
![]()
Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
-
![]()
The Great Lives of Great Lives
After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.
-
![]()
David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey
Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.
-
![]()
Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
-
![]()
Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller
Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
-
![]()
James Graham on John Maynard Keynes
The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.
-
![]()
Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
-
![]()
Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
-
![]()
Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant
Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
-
![]()
Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
-
![]()
Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
