Great Lives

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

Radio 4,595 episodes

Episodes

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Jonathan Dimbleby on Harry Hopkins
President Roosevelt's right hand man in World War Two, Harry Hopkins.
04 May 2021,28 mins
KT Tunstall on Ivor Cutler
Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humorist Ivor Cutler
27 Apr 2021,28 mins
Black and British pioneer Kenny Lynch
Veteran black and British entertainer Kenny Lynch.
20 Apr 2021,28 mins
Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown picks Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.
13 Apr 2021,28 mins
The Talented Mr Ripley author, Patricia Highsmith
Sometimes known as 'the stalker's balladeer', she is director Jonathan Kent's choice.
06 Apr 2021,28 mins
Rights activist Cesar Chavez nominated by Cori Crider
Human rights lawyer Cori Crider explains why she is inspired by the life of Cesar Chavez.
26 Jan 2021,28 mins
Caroline Catz on Delia Derbyshire
Actor Caroline Catz chooses Delia Derbyshire, who realised the theme to Doctor Who.
19 Jan 2021,28 mins
David Jonsson on Jean Michel Basquiat
Actor David Jonsson champions artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
12 Jan 2021,28 mins
Rob Rinder on Jessica Mitford
Jessica Mitford is championed by Robert Rinder.
05 Jan 2021,28 mins
Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
29 Dec 2020,28 mins
The Great Lives of Great Lives
After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.
22 Dec 2020,28 mins
David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey
Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.
15 Dec 2020,28 mins
Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
08 Dec 2020,28 mins
Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller
Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
29 Sep 2020,28 mins
James Graham on John Maynard Keynes
The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.
22 Sep 2020,28 mins
Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
15 Sep 2020,28 mins
Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
08 Sep 2020,28 mins
Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant
Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
01 Sep 2020,28 mins
Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
25 Aug 2020,28 mins
Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
18 Aug 2020,28 mins
Frida Kahlo nominated by author Jessie Burton
Artist Frida Kahlo is nominated by Jessie Burton. With Circe Henestrosa.
11 Aug 2020,28 mins
Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943
04 Aug 2020,28 mins
Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
02 Jun 2020,28 mins
Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
26 May 2020,28 mins
Billy Bremner of Leeds United
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
19 May 2020,28 mins
Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
12 May 2020,28 mins
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
05 May 2020,28 mins
Maya Angelou
Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.
28 Apr 2020,28 mins
Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables
Musician Kate Stables highlights the fascinating life of author Ursula le Guin.
21 Apr 2020,28 mins
Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
14 Apr 2020,27 mins