Biography series exploring the greatest people who ever lived. Matthew Parris interviews an eminent guest and an expert to reveal the truth behind their history heroes.
Episodes available:
Indefinitely 
Tue, 14 May 13
Duration:
28 mins
John Cooper Clarke, poetry's Punk Laureate and the Bard of Salford, nominates Salvador Dali for great life status - melting clocks, Mae West lip sofas, lobster telephones and all. Producer: Mark Smalley
Tue, 7 May 13
Duration:
28 mins
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the football manager Bill Shankly, who nurtured Liverpool to become one of the world's greatest sides. Matthew Parris chairs. Producer: Jolyon Jenkins
Tue, 30 Apr 13
Duration:
28 mins
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth nominates Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as his "Great Life". Matthew Parris chairs, assisted by biographer Andrew Lycett. Producer: Jolyon Jenkins
Tue, 23 Apr 13
Duration:
28 mins
Dr David Livingstone was the Victorian equivalent of an astronaut - a man who ventured into the interior of Africa to report on territory that was wholly unknown to Europeans. In this programme, the explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires his predecessor. Matthew Parris chairs the discussion, assisted by Dr Sarah Worden of the National Museum of Scotland. Producer: Jolyon Jenkins
Tue, 16 Apr 13
Duration:
28 mins
Chris Tarrant nominates Kenny Everett, mad little geezer and genius deejay. Matthew Parris presents with help from biographer James Hogg and Captain Kremmen of the Star Corps.
Tue, 9 Apr 13
Duration:
28 mins
Bobby Friction - DJ and broadcaster better known for his Bhangra music remixes - champions Galileo Galilei, the Italian physicist and astronomer. For Bobby Galileo is almost 'God like' - If he didn't recant it would have been the ultimate two-fingered salute". Expert contributions come from Dr David Berman from Queen Mary, University of London. Producer : Perminder Khatkar.
Tue, 2 Apr 13
Duration:
28 mins
Peter Hitchens chooses George Bell, bishop of Chichester, who spoke out against the area bombing of Germany in 1944. Matthew Parris presents.
Tue, 29 Jan 13
Duration:
28 mins
Gardener Carol Klein's great life is a hero of the wild garden, William Robinson. Matthew Parris presents with expert help from Robinson's biographer Richard Bisgrove.
Tue, 15 Jan 13
Duration:
28 mins
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on the Victorian artist Aubrey Beardsley, whose shocking originality he compares to that of Alexander McQueen. Laurence's first foray into art was copying Beardsley drawings to sell at his school - with the more erotic ones fetching a premium price... Biographer Matthew Sturgis fills in the detail of Beardsley's short but extraordinary life, and Matthew Parris presents. Producer Beth O'Dea
Tue, 8 Jan 13
Duration:
28 mins
Max Mosley chooses John Stuart Mill, British philosopher and author of On Liberty. Matthew Parris presents.
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41 minutes
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