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 10, 2023 · 27 min
Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes
Jesse Norman picks lawyer and Parliamentarian Sir Edward Coke.
May 2, 2023 · 27 min
Kofi Annan
Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
Apr 25, 2023 · 27 min
Frank Zappa
John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why
Apr 11, 2023 · 27 min
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.
Apr 4, 2023 · 27 min
Arthur Ashe
Broadcaster Qasa Alom picks his hero Arthur Ashe.
Feb 20, 2023 · 27 min
Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking
Cressida Cowell on her hero Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking.
Jan 24, 2023 · 27 min
Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston
Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston
Jan 17, 2023 · 27 min
Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.
Jan 9, 2023 · 27 min
Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged
Nick Hayes, author of the Book of Trespass, nominates Roger Deakin.
Jan 3, 2023 · 27 min
Minette Batters on Henry Plumb
Matthew Parris is joined by the president of the National Farmers' Union, Minette Batters.
Dec 27, 2022 · 27 min
Bob Harris on Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United manager
Presenter Bob Harris champions Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
Dec 20, 2022 · 27 min
Noddy Holder on Chuck Berry
Slade frontman Noddy Holder champions the life of rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
Dec 13, 2022 · 27 min
Olivia Laing on Christopher Lloyd, Gardener and Writer
Writer Olivia Laing nominates the gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd.
Dec 9, 2022 · 27 min
Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter
Cookbook author and activist Olia Hercules nominates the Ukrainian painter Alla Horska.
Sep 28, 2022 · 27 min
Bonnie Greer on the Women of the Morant Bay Rebellion
Bonnie Greer nominates the women of the Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica.
Sep 13, 2022 · 27 min
George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood nominated by Lesley Garrett
Soprano Lesley Garrett celebrates the life of George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood
Sep 6, 2022 · 27 min
Romy Gill on poet Amrita Pritam
Chef Romy Gill celebrates a poet whose work was heavily influenced by Partition.
Aug 30, 2022 · 27 min
Rosalind Franklin picked by Kate Bingham, former head of the UK government's vaccine taskforce
Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the discovery of DNA.
Aug 23, 2022 · 28 min
Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, Educationalist
Sir John Timpson picks Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw.
Aug 16, 2022 · 27 min
Ravi Shankar, India's famous sitar player
Bobby Seagull picks Ravi Shankar.