Great Lives Episodes Available now

Laura Bates on Louisa May Alcott
Laura Bates tells Matthew Parris why Louisa May Alcott of "Little Women" is her Great Life

Arthur Smith on Emil Zátopek
Comedian Arthur Smith tells Matthew Parris about the life of Olympic runner Emil Zátopek.

Professor Edith Hall on Lucille Ball
Matthew Parris invites Professor Edith Hall to nominate her idol.

Andrew Adonis on Joseph Bazalgette
Lord Adonis chooses Victorian engineer, aka 'The Sewer King', Sir Joseph Bazalgette

Stella Rimington on Dorothy L Sayers
Dame Stella Rimington explains to Matthew Parris why Dorothy L Sayers fascinates her.

Labi Siffre on Arthur Ransome
Matthew Parris invites singer songwriter Labi Siffre to nominate his choice of life.

Tom Shakespeare on Gramsci
Dr Tom Shakespeare tells Matthew Parris why Antonio Gramsci's is a Great Life.

Ray Mears on Rommel
Ray Mears champions the life of Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel.

Baroness Oona King on Ida B Wells
Ida B. Wells the African American civil rights activist is chosen by Baroness Oona King

Jazzie B on James Brown
Soul II Soul's Jazzie B chooses the life of musician and singer James Brown.