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Thomas Hobbes

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

• 30 mins

Ludwig II of Bavaria

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

• 30 mins

Lonnie Donegan

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

• 30 mins

Gracie Allen

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

• 30 mins

Joseph Rotblat

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

• 30 mins

Razia Sultana

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

• 30 mins

Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.

• 30 mins

Oscar Wilde

Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.

• 30 mins

Gertrude Stein

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

• 30 mins

George Lyward

Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.

• 30 mins

Edward Said

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

• 30 mins

John Ford

Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.

• 30 mins

Goya

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

• 30 mins

Sebastian Walker

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

• 30 mins

Henry Cooper

Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.

• 30 mins

Josephine Bonaparte

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

• 30 mins

Walter Scott

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

• 30 mins

Leonard Maguire

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

• 30 mins

Juvenal

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

• 30 mins

Stan Laurel

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

• 30 mins

Karel Reisz

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

• 30 mins

George Orwell

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

• 30 mins

Edith Wharton

Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.

• 30 mins

Dick Francis

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

• 30 mins

Jean Cocteau

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

• 30 mins

Prince Alamayu

Lemn Sissay chooses Prince Alamayu who, like him, was Ethiopian but fostered in Britain.

• 30 mins

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

• 30 mins

Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?

• 30 mins

John Stuart Mill

Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.

• 30 mins

Aubrey Beardsley

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.

• 30 mins