Great Lives Episodes Available now

Precious Lunga chooses Wangari Maathai
Matthew Parris explores the remarkable life of Professor Wangari Maathai.

Alvin Hall chooses James Baldwin
Matthew Parris meets financial guru Alvin Hall, whose hero is James Baldwin.

Roger Saul chooses Gertrude Jekyll
Fashion designer Roger Saul chooses garden designer Gertrude Jekyll

Dickie Bird on the life of Sir Leonard Hutton
Dickie Bird champions his hero Sir Leonard Hutton.

Toyah Willcox on Katharine Hepburn
Toyah Willcox nominates her hero Katharine Hepburn who she met and worked with.

Nick Stadlen on Bram Fischer
Nick Stadlen champions the life of the Afrikaner Revolutionary Bram Fischer.

Hannah Rothschild on Thelonious Monk
Hannah Rothschild looks back at the life of jazz musician Thelonious Monk.

Frances Crook on Barbara Castle
Frances Crook proposes Labour politician Barbara Castle. Roy Hattersley is witness

Genghis Khan
American commentator Joe Queenan chooses the Mongol leader Genghis Khan.

Monica Ali chooses Richard Francis Burton
The author Monica Ali champions the life of the explorer Richard Francis Burton.