Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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Vera Brittain
Baroness Shirley Williams discusses her mother, the feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain.
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Gracie Allen
Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.
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Joseph Rotblat
Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.
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Lonnie Donegan
Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.
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Ludwig II of Bavaria
Brian Sewell on his love of 'Mad' King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
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Thomas Hobbes
Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
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Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.
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Philip K Dick
Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet
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Gerald Durrell
Former footballer Graeme le Saux champions conservationist Gerald Durrell.
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Hildegard Von Bingen
Cerys Matthews on why 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as a great life.
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Edwin Lutyens
Simon Jenkins proposes Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph.
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Hans Fallada
Fast Show comic Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he is fascinated by writer Hans Fallada
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William Shakespeare
Poetry curator Daisy Goodwin nominates the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
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Eduardo Paolozzi
Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates the Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
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Emily Dickinson
The reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson is the choice of fellow poet Gwyneth Lewis.
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Kirsty MacColl
Broadcaster Janice Long champions the life and work of singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl.
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Graham Greene
War reporter Tim Butcher chooses an exploration into the strange world of Graham Greene.
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Harold Pinter
Matthew Parris introduces the life of writer Harold Pinter, chosen by Diane Abbott MP.
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Jack Johnson
Matthew Syed chooses the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion.
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Petra Kelly
Green MP Caroline Lucas nominates Petra Kelly, the German Green superstar politician.
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Lewis Carroll
Writer Lynne Truss chooses the creator of Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll.
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Kathleen Ferrier
Broadcaster Sue MacGregor nominates singer Kathleen Ferrier who died tragically young.
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Simone de Beauvoir
Actress Diana Quick selects philosopher Simone de Beauvoir for Great Lives.
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Leonard Bernstein
Conductor Charles Hazlewood chooses Leonard Bernstein.
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Thomas Edison
Sir Clive Sinclair discusses fellow inventor Thomas Edison with Matthew Parris.
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Mary Stott
Katharine Whitehorn chooses journalist and campaigner Mary Stott.
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Gertrude Bell
Physicist Jim al-Khalili nominates Gertrude Bell who shaped modern-day Iraq.
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JB Priestley
Comedian Barry Cryer nods to his Yorkshire roots by choosing JB Priestley.
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Aneurin Bevan
Lord Kinnock chooses the life of Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the NHS.
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Sammy Davis Jr
Dancer and actor Lionel Blair chooses his friend, Sammy Davis Jr.
