Great Lives

BBC Radio 4

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

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

408 episodes
Updated June 2

Episodes408

Newest first

Jan 23, 2014 · 27 min
Mark Constantine on Kahlil Gibran
Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.
Jan 23, 2014 · 27 min
Meg Rosoff on Isabella Bird
Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird
Jan 14, 2014 · 27 min
Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray
Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents
Jan 8, 2014 · 27 min
David Baddiel on John Updike
Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.
Dec 31, 2013 · 28 min
Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier
The architect Sir David Chipperfield chooses Le Corbusier.
Dec 17, 2013 · 28 min
Michael Horovitz on Allen Ginsberg
Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.
Dec 10, 2013 · 27 min
Ricky Ross on Hank Williams
Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.
Nov 27, 2013 · 28 min
Nina Simone
Joanna Macgregor nominates the chanteuse and civil rights activist Nina Simone.
Oct 2, 2013 · 28 min
Nancy Mitford
Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford, author of Love in a Cold Climate. From 2013.
Oct 1, 2013 · 27 min
Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery
Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
Sep 24, 2013 · 28 min
Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck
Sir Brendan Barber champions John Steinbeck.
Sep 17, 2013 · 27 min
Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace
TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses the mathematician Ada Lovelace.
Sep 10, 2013 · 27 min
Peter Bowles on George Devine
Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.
Sep 3, 2013 · 27 min
Paul Mason on Louise Michel
Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.
Aug 27, 2013 · 27 min
Julie Burchill on Ava Gardner
The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.
Aug 20, 2013 · 27 min
Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore
Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.
Aug 13, 2013 · 27 min
Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti
Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti
Aug 6, 2013 · 28 min
Russell Grant on Ivor Novello
Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.
Jun 5, 2013 · 27 min
Florence Nightingale
Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.
May 21, 2013 · 27 min
Primo Levi
Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.