Great Lives

Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

Radio 4,609 episodes

Episodes

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Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
08 Sep 2020,28 mins
Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant
Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
01 Sep 2020,28 mins
Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
25 Aug 2020,28 mins
Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
18 Aug 2020,28 mins
Frida Kahlo nominated by author Jessie Burton
Artist Frida Kahlo is nominated by Jessie Burton. With Circe Henestrosa.
11 Aug 2020,28 mins
Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943
04 Aug 2020,28 mins
Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
02 Jun 2020,28 mins
Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
26 May 2020,28 mins
Billy Bremner of Leeds United
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
19 May 2020,28 mins
Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
12 May 2020,28 mins
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
05 May 2020,28 mins
Maya Angelou
Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.
28 Apr 2020,28 mins,
Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables
Musician Kate Stables highlights the fascinating life of author Ursula le Guin.
21 Apr 2020,28 mins
Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
14 Apr 2020,27 mins
Rick Stein on Jim Morrison
Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
07 Apr 2020,26 mins
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Andi Oliver chooses the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
21 Jan 2020,28 mins
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long
14 Jan 2020,28 mins
Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
07 Jan 2020,28 mins
Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
31 Dec 2019,28 mins
Novelist Enid Blyton
How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?
24 Dec 2019,28 mins
Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury
Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.
17 Dec 2019,28 mins
Lee Miller, war photographer and model
Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller.
10 Dec 2019,28 mins
Just William / Richmal Crompton proposed by Peter Oborne with Martin Jarvis
William Brown, star of the Just William books, proposed by Peter Oborne.
03 Dec 2019,28 mins
Constance Agatha Cummings-John
Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.
24 Sep 2019,28 mins
Comedian Sindhu Vee on Prince
The comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.
17 Sep 2019,28 mins
Fiona Shaw nominates the actress Eleonora Duse
Eleonora Duse, pioneering 19th-century actress, is the choice of Fiona Shaw.
10 Sep 2019,28 mins
Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori.
03 Sep 2019,28 mins
First Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay Macdonald, Labour's first Prime Minister, chosen by Shaun Ley.
27 Aug 2019,28 mins
Caroline Quentin nominates Sir John Vanbrugh
Caroline Quentin nominates the 17th century dramatist and architect Sir John Vanbrugh
20 Aug 2019,28 mins
Laura Marling on Lou Andreas-Salome
Laura Marling on the first female psychoanalyst Lou Andreas-Salomé.
13 Aug 2019,28 mins