Great Lives Podcast
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Episodes to download
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Leonard Maguire
Tue 21 Aug 2012
Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.
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Walter Scott
Tue 14 Aug 2012
Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.
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Josephine Bonaparte
Tue 7 Aug 2012
Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.
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Sebastian Walker
Tue 22 May 2012
Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.
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Edward Said
Tue 1 May 2012
Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.
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George Lyward
Tue 24 Apr 2012
Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.
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Gertrude Stein
Tue 17 Apr 2012
Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.
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Razia Sultana
Tue 31 Jan 2012
Conservative politician Baroness Warsi nominates a 13th-century Indian princess.
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Gracie Allen
Tue 17 Jan 2012
Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.
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Joseph Rotblat
Tue 10 Jan 2012
Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.
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Lonnie Donegan
Tue 3 Jan 2012
Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.
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Thomas Hobbes
Tue 20 Dec 2011
Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
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Ludwig Wittgenstein
Tue 13 Dec 2011
Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.
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Philip K Dick
Tue 6 Dec 2011
Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet
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Gerald Durrell
Tue 27 Sep 2011
Former footballer Graeme le Saux champions conservationist Gerald Durrell.
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Hildegard Von Bingen
Tue 20 Sep 2011
Cerys Matthews on why 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as a great life.
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Edwin Lutyens
Tue 13 Sep 2011
Simon Jenkins proposes Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph.
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Hans Fallada
Tue 6 Sep 2011
Fast Show comic Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he is fascinated by writer Hans Fallada
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William Shakespeare
Tue 30 Aug 2011
Poetry curator Daisy Goodwin nominates the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
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Eduardo Paolozzi
Tue 23 Aug 2011
Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates the Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
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Kirsty MacColl
Tue 9 Aug 2011
Broadcaster Janice Long champions the life and work of singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl.
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Graham Greene
Tue 2 Aug 2011
War reporter Tim Butcher chooses an exploration into the strange world of Graham Greene.
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Petra Kelly
Tue 10 May 2011
Green MP Caroline Lucas nominates Petra Kelly, the German Green superstar politician.
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Lewis Carroll
Tue 3 May 2011
Writer Lynne Truss chooses the creator of Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll.
Great Rock and Roll Lives
Stories of inspiration from great musicians from Bowie to Billie Holliday
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