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

Feb 17, 2025 · 27 min
A N Wilson selects Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe picked by writer A N Wilson.
Feb 10, 2025 · 27 min
Jessica Fostekew on Boudica
Comedian Jessica Fostekew nominates the ancient English warrior queen, Boudica.
Feb 3, 2025 · 27 min
Reginald D Hunter selects Eugene V Debs
Five time socialist presidential candidate Eugene Victor Debs picked by Reginald D Hunter.
Jan 27, 2025 · 27 min
Pen Hadow nominates Sir Peter Scott
Conservationist Peter Scott, founder of Slimbridge, is picked by Pen Hadow.
Jan 20, 2025 · 28 min
Lauren Cuthbertson on Margot Fonteyn
The Royal Ballet's Lauren Cuthbertson on quintessential British ballerina Margot Fonteyn.
Jan 13, 2025 · 27 min
Dr Hannah Critchlow picks Professor Colin Blakemore
Dr Hannah Critchlow selects the neurobiologist Professor Colin Blakemore.
Jan 6, 2025 · 28 min
Doug Allan on Captain Jacques Cousteau
Wildlife cameraman Doug Allan nominates oceanographer and explorer Jacques Cousteau.
Sep 23, 2024 · 27 min
Ekow Eshun on the first openly gay footballer, Justin Fashanu
Biography show where famous guests pick someone they admire or love.
Sep 16, 2024 · 27 min
Anneka Rice picks the largely forgotten Jane Morris, muse to Rossetti and wife of William Morris
Anneka Rice picks Jane Morris, wife of William Morris and muse to Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
Sep 2, 2024 · 27 min
The surgeon Henry Marsh picks 'the saviour of mothers' Dr Semmelweis
Biography show where famous guests pick someone from history they admire or love.
Aug 26, 2024 · 27 min
The Roman Emperor Nero
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Aug 19, 2024 · 27 min
Film director Julien Temple on Elizabethan bad boy Christopher Marlowe
Biographical show in which famous guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Aug 13, 2024 · 27 min
Zing Tsjeng on Swedish painter Hilma af Klint
Biography series in which famous guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Aug 5, 2024 · 27 min
Miriam Margolyes on Charles Dickens
The great Miriam Margolyes chooses her hero, Charles Dickens
May 27, 2024 · 27 min
Mary Portas on Anita Roddick
Mary Portas chooses the founder of The Body Shop Dame Anita Roddick as her Great Life.
May 13, 2024 · 27 min
Lady Rachel MacRobert, chosen by Hayaatun Sillem
Dr Hayaatun Sillem chooses the extraordinary life of Lady Rachel MacRobert.
May 7, 2024 · 27 min
Queen Emma
Alice Roberts chooses the wife of two kings - Aethelred and Canute.
Apr 29, 2024 · 27 min
James Dyson on Frank Whittle
James Dyson chooses the inventor of the jet engine, Frank Whittle.
Apr 22, 2024 · 27 min
Katherine Rundell on E Nesbit
Writer Katherine Rundell nominates fellow children's author E Nesbit.
Apr 15, 2024 · 27 min
Antoni Gaudi
Antoni Gaudi, nominated by Baroness Ros Altmann.