Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
-
![]()
Charles Bukowski
Comedian Rhona Cameron chooses the German-American writer and poet, Charles Bukowski.
-
![]()
Peter Cushing
Actor and writer Mark Gatiss chooses horror film star, Peter Cushing.
-
![]()
Hermann Buhl
Mountaineer Joe Simpson takes up the cause of the pioneering Austrian climber Hermann Buhl
-
![]()
Katherine Mansfield
Jacqueline Wilson chooses the writer Katherine Mansfield. With Angela Smith as witness.
-
![]()
Groucho Marx
Roger Graef champions the great comic Groucho Marx.
-
![]()
Howard Florey
Richard Sykes champions Sir Howard Florey, a forgotten man in the discovery of penicillin.
-
![]()
Alfred Russel Wallace
Travel writer Redmond O'Hanlon proposes the pioneering naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.
-
![]()
George Cruikshank
Quentin Blake nominates illustrator George Cruikshank.
-
![]()
Thora Hird
Impressionist Jan Ravens chooses the award-winning actress, Dame Thora Hird.
-
![]()
George Washington
British General Sir Michael Rose selects 'Father of the American Nation' George Washington
-
![]()
Elizabeth David
Chef and novelist Prue Leith chooses cookery writer Elizabeth David.
-
![]()
Brian Clough
John Motson nominates former Nottingham Forest FC manager Brian Clough.
-
![]()
Lord Denning
Blur drummer David Rowntree discusses the life of Lord Denning.
-
![]()
John Cage
Conceptual artist Michael Craig-Martin talks about avant-garde composer John Cage.
-
![]()
Sir Alec Issigonis
Engineer Alex Moulton and the Earl of Snowdon talk about the life of Alec Issigonis.
-
![]()
Rembrandt
Artist and sculptor Maggi Hambling nominates Rembrandt as her choice of a great life.
-
![]()
Elvis Presley
Northern Ireland politician Lord David Trimble chooses Elvis Presley.
-
![]()
Lilian Baylis
Jude Kelly nominates legendary Edwardian theatre producer Lilian Baylis.
-
![]()
George Bernard Shaw
Dr Phil Hammond chooses the Nobel Prize-winning playwright, George Bernard Shaw.
-
![]()
Julius Caesar
Archaeologist Barry Cunliffe nominates ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar.
-
![]()
Claude McKay
Theatre director, actress and writer Yvonne Brewster nominates poet Claude McKay.
-
![]()
Mata Hari
Fiona Bruce chooses the femme fatale, international spy and exotic dancer, Mata Hari.
-
![]()
Billie Holiday
Singer and actress Pauline Black chooses a jazz legend, the singer Billie Holiday.
-
![]()
Marie Curie
Pallab Ghosh explains how Marie Curie achieved fame through her work on radioactivity.
-
![]()
Anton Chekhov
Author William Boyd champions playwright Anton Chekhov's claim to greatness.
-
![]()
Tintin
Nick Danziger breaks the programme's rules with comic book adventurer, Tintin.
-
![]()
Joe Strummer
With Matthew Parris. Phill Jupitus nominates former Clash frontman Joe Strummer.
-
![]()
Pope John Paul II
Ann Widdicombe MP nominates the late pontiff, who agreed with her on women priests.
-
![]()
William Beveridge
Anne Fine nominates the author of the report that became the basis for the Welfare State.
-
![]()
Martha Gellhorn
Journalist Camilla Wright nominates the war reporter Martha Gellhorn for greatness.
