Great Lives

BBC Radio 4

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

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408 episodes
Updated June 2

Episodes408

Newest first

Aug 19, 2015 · 27 min
Michael Howard on Elizabeth I
Michael Howard, Conservative Party former leader, tells Matthew Parris about Elizabeth I.
Aug 11, 2015 · 27 min
Vicky Pryce on Melina Mercouri
Economist Vicky Pryce nominates the Greek film star and politician Melina Mercouri.
Aug 4, 2015 · 27 min
Ian McKellen on Edmund Hillary
Sir Ian McKellen nominates mountaineer Edmund Hillary as his inspirational figure.
Jun 2, 2015 · 27 min
Val McDermid on PD James
Matthew Parris talks to crime writer Val McDermid about the life of PD James.
May 28, 2015 · 27 min
David Blunkett on Louis Braille
Matthew Parris hears from David Blunkett about the life of Louis Braille. From 2015.
May 19, 2015 · 25 min
US Ambassador Matthew Barzun on JG Winant
Matthew Parris meets US Ambassador Matthew Barzun to talk about his wartime predecessor.
May 12, 2015 · 27 min
Antonia Quirke on Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando - greatest actor of the twentieth century?
May 5, 2015 · 27 min
Wendy Cope on John Clare
Matthew Parris talks to Wendy Cope about her poetic hero John Clare. From 2015.
Apr 28, 2015 · 27 min
Dame Helen Ghosh on James Lees-Milne
Matthew Parris talks to the National Trust's Dame Helen Ghosh about James Lees-Milne.
Apr 21, 2015 · 27 min
Kulvinder Ghir on Zoran Music
Comedian and actor Kulvinder Ghir nominates the life of the artist Zoran Music.
Apr 14, 2015 · 27 min
Rachel Johnson on Ottoline Morrell
Rachel Johnson author and journalist champions the life of Ottoline Morrell.
Apr 7, 2015 · 24 min
Sir Trevor McDonald on Learie Constantine
The veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald chooses the life of Learie Constantine
Jan 27, 2015 · 28 min
Mervyn King on Risto Ryti
Mervyn King champions the life of the former Prime Minister of Finland Risto Ryti.
Jan 26, 2015 · 27 min
Eve Pollard on Nora Ephron
Journalist Eve Pollard explores Hollywood screenwriter Nora Ephron with Matthew Parris.
Jan 13, 2015 · 27 min
Michael Dobbs on Guy Burgess
Michael Dobbs looks back at the life of Cambridge spy Guy Burgess.
Jan 6, 2015 · 27 min
Philippa Langley on Richard III
Matthew Parris talks to Philippa Langley about the life of Richard III.
Dec 30, 2014 · 27 min
Tom Solomon on Roald Dahl
Professor Tom Solomon talks about his former patient, writer Roald Dahl.
Dec 23, 2014 · 24 min
Brian Eno on Lord Young of Dartington
Brian Eno champions the life and work of social reformer Michael Young.
Dec 16, 2014 · 27 min
Laura Bates on Louisa May Alcott
Laura Bates tells Matthew Parris why Louisa May Alcott of "Little Women" is her Great Life
Dec 9, 2014 · 27 min
Arthur Smith on Emil Zátopek
Comedian Arthur Smith tells Matthew Parris about the life of Olympic runner Emil Zátopek.