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Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    HG Wells

    Author Fay Weldon champions the life of writer and visionary HG Wells

  2. Isy Suttie on Jake Thackray

    Isy Suttie chooses Yorkshire-born singer songwriter Jake Thackray

  3. Deborah Moggach on Arnold Bennett

    The author Deborah Moggach talks about the life of Potteries writer Arnold Bennett.

  4. Marcus du Sautoy on Jorge Luis Borges

    Blind Argentinian writer Borges is championed by Marcus de Sautoy.

  5. Sir Mark Walport on Sir Hans Sloane

    Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, is championed by Sir Mark Walport.

  6. Sarah Vine on Dante

    Sarah Vine chooses Dante, author of the Italian literary masterpiece the Divine Comedy

  7. Evelyn Glennie on Jacqueline Du Pre

    English Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre is championed by solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

  8. DJ Sara Cox nominates singer Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes

    Sara Cox nominates the American hip hop artist and rapper Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.

  9. Mark Constantine on Kahlil Gibran

    Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.

  10. Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray

    Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents

  11. David Baddiel on John Updike

    Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.

  12. Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier

    The architect Sir David Chipperfield chooses Le Corbusier.

  13. Meg Rosoff on Isabella Bird

    Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird

  14. Michael Horovitz on Allen Ginsberg

    Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.

  15. Ricky Ross on Hank Williams

    Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.

  16. Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery

    Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.

  17. Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck

    Sir Brendan Barber champions John Steinbeck.

  18. Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace

    TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.

  19. Peter Bowles on George Devine

    Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.

  20. Paul Mason on Louise Michel

    Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.

  21. Julie Burchill on Ava Gardner

    The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.

  22. Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore

    Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.

  23. Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti

    Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti

  24. Russell Grant on Ivor Novello

    Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.

  25. Florence Nightingale

    Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.

  26. Primo Levi

    Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.

  27. Salvador Dali

    John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.

  28. Bill Shankly

    Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.

  29. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    Gyles Brandreth praises the life of the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

  30. David Livingstone

    John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.

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