Great Lives

• Updated:
  Weekly

• Episodes available:
  Indefinitely

Show recent episodes (10)

All episodes (45)

• Sebastian Walker

  Tue, 22 May 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about why Sebastian Walker remains such a memorable friend. They're joined by Walker's sister and biographer Mirabel Cecil.

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• Goya

  Tue, 15 May 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of the Spanish painter, Francisco de Goya with the help of art historian Dr Sarah Symmons and reader Javier Marzan.

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• John Ford

  Tue, 8 May 12

  Duration:
  29 mins

  John Ford, director of Stagecoach, The Searchers and The Grapes of Wrath, is chosen by Eric Pickles for Great Lives. Matthew Parris presents.

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• Edward Said

  Thu, 26 Apr 12

  Duration:
  29 mins

  In Great Lives, comedian and author Alexei Sayle explains to Matthew Parris why Edward Said inspired him.

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• George Lyward

  Tue, 24 Apr 12

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Musician and broadcaster Tom Robinson tells Matthew Parris how educationalist George Lyward saved his life. Dr Norman Alm provides expert assistance.

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• Gertrude Stein

  Tue, 17 Apr 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Activist and best-selling novelist Erin Pizzey chooses the American poet and writer Gertrude Stein. Joining presenter Matthew Parris in the studio is Diana Souhami, author of "Gertrude and Alice".

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• Oscar Wilde

  Tue, 10 Apr 12

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Will Self chooses Oscar Wilde, author of The Importance of Being Earnest. Matthew Parris presents with expert contribution from Franny Moyle, biographer of Mrs Oscar Wilde.

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• Dylan Thomas

  Tue, 3 Apr 12

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Dylan Thomas proposed by another Welsh poet Owen Sheers in a specially recorded edition at Bristol's More Than Words Listening Festival. Includes Richard Burton reading Under Milk Wood. Matthew Parris presents.

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• Razia Sultana 31 Jan 12

  Tue, 31 Jan 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Co-chairman of the Conservative party Sayeeda Warsi tells Matthew Parris why she's fascinated by the much mythologized thirteenth century Indian princess Razia Sultana, who ruled for less than four years in the 1230s but has long been celebrated as the first female Indian Muslim leader. They are joined by writer and expert on India, William Dalrymple.

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• Vera Brittain 23 Jan 12

  Tue, 24 Jan 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  The pacifist Vera Brittain - who bore witness to the toll of the First World War on her generation - is discussed by her daughter Baroness Shirley Williams and Dr Clare Gerada. Presented by Matthew Parris.

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• Gracie Allen 1 Jan 12

  Tue, 17 Jan 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Matthew Parris is joined by the actress Emma Kennedy to explore the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.

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• Joseph Rotblat 10 Jan 12

  Tue, 10 Jan 12

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees tells Matthew Parris why his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat, lived a "great life". Rotblat was a brilliant physicist who was the only scientist to resign from the Manhattan Project once it became clear that Germany would not make an atomic bomb. Joining them in the studio is Rotblat's friend and colleague Kit Hill.

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• Lonnie Donegan 3 Jan 12

  Tue, 3 Jan 12

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter tells Matthew Parris why skiffle king Lonnie Donegan is his hero. Lonnie Donegan is probably best remembered for the novelty hits "My Old Man's a Dustman" and "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose its Flavour? " However, early hits like "Rock Island Line" were instrumental in inspiring the likes of John Lennon, Brian May and Roger Daltrey to perform.

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• Ludwig II of Bavaria 27 Dec 11

  Tue, 27 Dec 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Brian Sewell on his long-standing love of "Mad" King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who built the ultimate fantasy castle at Neuschwanstein. Presenter Matthew Parris and contributor Simon Winder find out more...

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• Thomas Hobbes 20 Dec 11

  Tue, 20 Dec 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Thomas Hobbes: the writer and psychologist Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the great English philosopher. Noel Malcolm from All Souls College, Oxford provides the expert analyis. Power and violence are themes of the discussion of Hobbes who, Steven Pinker argues, was "perhaps the first cognitive psychologist."

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• Ludwig Wittgenstein 13 Dec 11

  Tue, 13 Dec 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Ludwig Wittgenstein, the fascinating and misunderstood genius who changed the course of philosophy, is chosen by writer Raymond Tallis. With biographer Ray Monk, he brings alive this most enigmatic of men and his singular life. And to make sure that they don't get lost in Wittgensteinian thought, presenter Matthew Parris brings along a whistle to blow whenever he feels in danger..

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• Philip K Dick 06 Dec 11

  Tue, 6 Dec 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Actor Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon; The Queen; Midnight in Paris) explores the life of Philip K Dick, and explains how this enigmatic science-fiction writer has influenced his recent production of Hamlet.

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• Shakespeare 30 Aug 11

  Fri, 7 Oct 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  The bard himself, William Shakespeare, is nominated for great life status by poetry curator, Daisy Goodwin. Dominic Dromgoole of the Globe Theatre joins Matthew Parris.

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• 27.09.11: Gerald Durrell

  Tue, 27 Sep 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Great Lives. Former England footballer Graeme le Saux champions the life of conservationist Gerald Durrell. Also joining presenter Matthew Parris is Geralds widow Lee Durrell.

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• Hildegard von Bingen 20 Sept 11

  Tue, 20 Sep 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  The singer and broadcaster Cerys Matthews tells Matthew Parris why she thinks the life of the 12th century nun, Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as great.

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• Lutyens 13 Sept 11

  Tue, 13 Sep 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph, chosen for Great Lives by Simon Jenkins. Expert advice from Lutyens great grand daughter Jane Ridley and presented by Matthew Parris.

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• Hans Fallada 06 Sept 11

  Tue, 6 Sep 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Fast Show comedian Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he's fascinated by the life of German author Hans Fallada. Matthew is also joined by Fallada's biographer Jenny Williams.

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• Eduardo Paolozzi 23 Aug 11

  Tue, 23 Aug 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates his friend the sculptor and forefather of Pop Art Eduardo Paolozzi as a Great Life. Joining Antonio and presenter Matthew Parris in the studio is cultural historian Sir Christopher Frayling.

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• Kirsty MacColl 09 Aug 11

  Tue, 9 Aug 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Broadcaster Janice Long tells Matthew Parris why her friend singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl led a "great life" despite her tragically early death in a boating accident in 2000.

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• Graham Greene 02 Aug 11

  Tue, 2 Aug 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Graham Greene, author of Brighton Rock and The Third Man, proposed by Tim Butcher. Matthew Parris presents and David Pearce battles bravely to defend the reputation of a writer who played Russian Roulette when bored.

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• Harold Pinter 24 May 11

  Tue, 24 May 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Playwright Harold Pinter is chosen by Diane Abbott MP. With expert assistance from the critic and biographer Michael Billington and presented by Matthew Parris.

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• Jack Johnson 17 May 11

  Tue, 17 May 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Jack Johnson, the Galveston Giant, was the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. Chosen by Matthew Syed both for his boxing skills and for what he came to represent. Matthew Parris presents.

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• Petra Kelly 10 May 11

  Tue, 10 May 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who's inspired their lives. Green MP Caroline Lucas nominates German Green politician Petra Kelly.

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• Lewis Carroll 03 May 11

  Tue, 3 May 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Matthew Parris and writer Lynne Truss discuss the life of author Lewis Carroll. Famous for the Alice books, Carroll was also a brilliant mathematician and early photographer.

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• Kathleen Ferrier 27 Apr 11

  Tue, 26 Apr 11

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Broadcaster Sue MacGregor nominates singer Kathleen Ferrer, who died tragically young. Matthew Parris presents, with the help of Christopher Fifield who edited Ferrier's letters.

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• Simone de Beauvoir

  Tue, 19 Apr 11

  Duration:
  26 mins

  Actress Diana Quick tells Matthew Parris why Simone de Beauvoir changed her life after reading "The Second Sex". Lisa Appignanesi is the expert witness.

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• Bernstein 12 Apr 10

  Tue, 12 Apr 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Leonard Bernstein, composer of West Side Story, was one of the greatest musical figures of the twentieth century. He's chosen by conductor Charles Hazlewood. Presenter Matthew Parris asks Bernstein's colleague and friend, Humphrey Burton, blunt questions about the great man's sexuality.

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• Thomas Edison 05 April 11

  Tue, 5 Apr 11

  Duration:
  27 mins

  Sir Clive Sinclair nominates fellow inventor Thomas Edison. Edison invented sound recording, the electric light bulb and moving pictures, but also had his fair share of duds along the way. Sir Clive invented the first electronic calculator but also the ill-fated C5 electric car. Separated by a century, do the two men have anything in common? Joining the discussion is Edison's biographer Neil Baldwin.

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• Marcus Garvey 01 Feb 11

  Tue, 1 Feb 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Kwame Kwei-Armah chooses Marcus Garvey, the inspirational black leader of the early twentieth century. With biographer Colin Grant and presenter Matthew Parris.

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• Mary Stott 25 Jan 2011

  Tue, 25 Jan 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Katharine Whitehorn nominates Mary Stott, the great campaigning journalist and the first editor of the Guardian women's page. Dame Liz Forgan shares her memories of working with Mary, and Matthew Parris presents.

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• Gertrude Bell 18 Jan 11

  Tue, 18 Jan 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Iraqi-born physicist Jim al-Khalili explores the life of Gertrude Bell, adventurer, archaeologist and arguably the founder of modern Iraq.

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• Aneurin Bevan 04 Jan 11

  Tue, 4 Jan 11

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Matthew Parris explores the life of Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the NHS, chosen by the former leader of the Labour Party, Lord Kinnock. John Campbell adds biographical detail.

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• Sammy Davis Jr 28 Dec 10

  Tue, 28 Dec 10

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Lionel Blair chooses his friend and dancing partner Sammy Davis Jr - Puerto Rican, Jewish, and possessing only one eye, but a great all round performer. Paul Gambaccini offers expert advice and Matthew Parris presents.

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• Beckett 21 Dec 10

  Tue, 21 Dec 10

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Sir Gerry Robinson chooses fellow Irishman Samuel Beckett. Matthew Parris presents and Jim Knowlson, a personal friend of the playwright, offers the expert's view.

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• DH Lawrence 14 Dec 10

  Tue, 14 Dec 10

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Matthew Parris is joined by John Hegley and Geoff Dyer to discuss the life of DH Lawrence, author, poet, painter, who died aged just 44 but made a giant contribution to literature.

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• Malcolm McLaren 07 Dec 10

  Tue, 7 Dec 10

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Was Malcolm McLaren a musical great, or the great rock n' roll swindler ? Mark Borkowski joins Matthew Parris and Chris Salewicz in a discussion centred around compelling archive.

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• Walt Disney 28 Sept 10

  Tue, 28 Sep 10

  Duration:
  29 mins

  Gerald Scarfe, creator of some of the most savage cartoon images of the last forty years, chooses Walt Disney for Great Lives. Brian Sibley and Roger Rabbit creator Richard Williams join presenter Matthew Parris in the studio debate.

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• Montaigne 21 Sept 10

  Tue, 21 Sep 10

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Robert Winston chooses Michel de Montaigne, one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance. Adding their help are biographer Sarah Bakewell and presenter Matthew Parris.

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• Winston Churchill 14 Sept 10

  Tue, 14 Sep 10

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Winston Churchill's is the Great Life chosen by Lord Digby Jones, former Director General of the CBI. Expert contribution comes from Professor David Reynolds. Both men have vivid memories of the day in 1965 when, as children, they heard that Churchill had died. Surprisingly this is the first time that Churchill has been nominated in the series.

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• Golda Meir 07 Sept 10

  Tue, 7 Sep 10

  Duration:
  28 mins

  Golda Meir was the Iron Lady of Israeli politics, a straight-talking, intransigent leader who once said, "There is a type of woman who does not let her husband narrow her horizons". She is the choice of former Conservative government minister Edwina Currie. Matthew Parris presents and historian Ahron Bregman joins as expert witness.

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