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Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    Jean Cocteau

    Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.

  2. Dick Francis

    Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.

  3. Edith Wharton

    Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.

  4. George Orwell

    Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.

  5. Karel Reisz

    Film-maker Stephen Frears champions his mentor, Karel Reisz.

  6. Stan Laurel

    Comedian and performer Ken Dodd explains why Stan Laurel inspired him to go into comedy.

  7. Juvenal

    Matthew Parris and his guest Natalie Haynes encounter the Latin poet Juvenal.

  8. Leonard Maguire

    Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.

  9. Walter Scott

    Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.

  10. Josephine Bonaparte

    Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.

  11. Henry Cooper

    Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.

  12. Sebastian Walker

    Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.

  13. Goya

    Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of Spanish painter Goya.

  14. John Ford

    Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.

  15. Edward Said

    Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.

  16. George Lyward

    Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.

  17. Gertrude Stein

    Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.

  18. Oscar Wilde

    Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.

  19. Dylan Thomas

    Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.

  20. Razia Sultana

    Conservative politician Baroness Warsi nominates a 13th-century Indian princess.

  21. Vera Brittain

    Baroness Shirley Williams discusses her mother, the feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain.

  22. Gracie Allen

    Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.

  23. Joseph Rotblat

    Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.

  24. Lonnie Donegan

    Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.

  25. Ludwig II of Bavaria

    Brian Sewell on his love of 'Mad' King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

  26. Thomas Hobbes

    Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.

  27. Ludwig Wittgenstein

    Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.

  28. Philip K Dick

    Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet

  29. Gerald Durrell

    Former footballer Graeme le Saux champions conservationist Gerald Durrell.

  30. Hildegard Von Bingen

    Cerys Matthews on why 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as a great life.

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