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Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    The Great Lives of Great Lives

    After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.

  2. David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey

    Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.

  3. Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII

    Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII

  4. Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller

    Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.

  5. James Graham on John Maynard Keynes

    The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.

  6. Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor

    Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.

  7. Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams

    Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.

  8. Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant

    Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin

  9. Jessie Ware on Donna Summer

    The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.

  10. Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

    The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"

  11. Frida Kahlo nominated by author Jessie Burton

    Artist Frida Kahlo is nominated by Jessie Burton. With Circe Henestrosa.

  12. Mussolini

    Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943

  13. Dolly Alderton on Doris Day

    Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.

  14. Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy

    Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.

  15. Billy Bremner of Leeds United

    Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.

  16. Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy

    Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy

  17. Victoria Wood

    Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV

  18. Maya Angelou

    Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.

  19. Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables

    Earthsea author Ursula le Guin

  20. Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson

    Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.

  21. Rick Stein on Jim Morrison

    Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.

  22. Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison

    Andi Oliver chooses the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison

  23. Kurt Vonnegut

    Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long

  24. Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke

    Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke

  25. Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace

    Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace

  26. Novelist Enid Blyton

    How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?

  27. Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury

    Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.

  28. Lee Miller, war photographer and model

    Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller.

  29. Just William / Richmal Crompton proposed by Peter Oborne with Martin Jarvis

    William Brown, star of the Just William books, proposed by Peter Oborne.

  30. Constance Agatha Cummings-John

    Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.

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