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 14, 2012 · 28 min
Walter Scott
Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.
Aug 7, 2012 · 27 min
Josephine Bonaparte
Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.
Jul 31, 2012 · 28 min
Henry Cooper
Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.
May 22, 2012 · 27 min
Sebastian Walker
Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.
May 15, 2012 · 27 min
Goya
Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of Spanish painter Goya.
May 8, 2012 · 28 min
John Ford
Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.
Apr 26, 2012 · 28 min
Edward Said
Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.
Apr 24, 2012 · 28 min
George Lyward
Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.
Apr 17, 2012 · 27 min
Gertrude Stein
Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.
Apr 10, 2012 · 28 min
Oscar Wilde
Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.
Apr 3, 2012 · 28 min
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.
Jan 31, 2012 · 27 min
Razia Sultana
Conservative politician Baroness Warsi nominates a 13th-century Indian princess.
Jan 24, 2012 · 27 min
Vera Brittain
Baroness Shirley Williams discusses her mother, the feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain.
Jan 17, 2012 · 27 min
Gracie Allen
Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.
Jan 10, 2012 · 28 min
Joseph Rotblat
Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.
Jan 3, 2012 · 27 min
Lonnie Donegan
Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.
Dec 27, 2011 · 27 min
Ludwig II of Bavaria
Brian Sewell on his love of 'Mad' King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Dec 20, 2011 · 27 min
Thomas Hobbes
Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
Dec 13, 2011 · 28 min
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.
Dec 6, 2011 · 28 min
Philip K Dick
Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet