Great Lives Episodes Available now
Robert FitzRoy
Baroness Margaret Jay chooses pioneering meteorologist Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy.
Gilbert and Sullivan
Dillie Keane chooses the musical duo Gilbert and Sullivan.
Joseph Banks
Scientist Lord Robert May nominates the naturalist and botanist, Joseph Banks.
Benjamin Disraeli
Kenneth Clarke chooses the Victorian politician, Benjamin Disraeli.
Tom Paine
Writer and political activist George Monbiot chooses 18th-century revolutionary Tom Paine.
Tchaikovsky
Economist Ruth Lea chooses the great Russian composer. Stephen Johnson adds his expertise.
Mary Kingsley
Journalist Ann Leslie chooses the pioneering writer and explorer Mary Kingsley.
Ian Dury
Comedian Linda Smith nominates musician, actor and artist Ian Dury.
Charles Dickens
Satirist and writer Armando Iannucci chooses novelist Charles Dickens.
Tommy Cooper
Writer and broadcaster Clement Freud chooses comedian Tommy Cooper.
