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

May 14, 2013 · 27 min
Salvador Dali
John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.
May 7, 2013 · 27 min
Bill Shankly
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
Apr 30, 2013 · 27 min
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Gyles Brandreth praises the life of the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Apr 23, 2013 · 27 min
David Livingstone
John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
Apr 16, 2013 · 27 min
Kenny Everett
Chris Tarrant chooses one of the great pioneers of modern radio - Kenny Everett.
Apr 9, 2013 · 27 min
Galileo
Bobby Friction champions the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
Apr 2, 2013 · 27 min
George Bell
Peter Hitchens nominates George Bell, who condemned the bombing of Germany.
Jan 29, 2013 · 27 min
William Robinson
Gardener Carol Klein's choice is wild garden hero, William Robinson. With Matthew Parris.
Jan 15, 2013 · 27 min
Aubrey Beardsley
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.
Jan 8, 2013 · 27 min
John Stuart Mill
Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.
Jan 1, 2013 · 26 min
Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?
Dec 25, 2012 · 24 min
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Dec 11, 2012 · 27 min
Jean Cocteau
Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.
Dec 4, 2012 · 27 min
Dick Francis
Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.
Sep 28, 2012 · 28 min
George Orwell
Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.
Sep 25, 2012 · 27 min
Edith Wharton
Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.
Sep 11, 2012 · 28 min
Karel Reisz
Film-maker Stephen Frears champions his mentor, Karel Reisz.
Sep 4, 2012 · 27 min
Stan Laurel
Comedian and performer Ken Dodd explains why Stan Laurel inspired him to go into comedy.
Aug 29, 2012 · 27 min
Juvenal
Matthew Parris and his guest Natalie Haynes encounter the Latin poet Juvenal.
Aug 21, 2012 · 26 min
Leonard Maguire
Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.