Laurence Olivier

Olivier's theatre and stage career spanned more than 60 years with 12 Oscar nominations.

• 12 mins

Benjamin Britten

James Naughtie profiles one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.

• 12 mins

Dorothy Hodgkin

One of the most successful chemists of the 20th century.

• 12 mins

Harold Pinter

James considers one of modern Britain's most influential dramatists, Harold Pinter.

• 12 mins

Richard Doll

Epidemiologist instrumental in proving the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer.

• 12 mins

Tony Hancock

Comedy actor Tony Hancock epitomised the little man's struggle against the world.

• 12 mins

Philip Larkin

One of the great English poets, famous for his day job as librarian at Hull University.

• 12 mins

Barbara Windsor

James Naughtie on Barbara Windsor's very British combination of grit and naughtiness.

• 12 mins

Alfred Denning

James Naughtie profiles one of the most influential judges of the 20th century.

• 12 mins

Paul Foot

James Naughtie considers the significance of campaigning journalist Paul Foot.

• 12 mins

Francis Bacon

James Naughtie profiles the haunting artist of suffering, pain and death.

• 12 mins

John Lennon/Paul McCartney

Jim Naughtie assesses the pair at the creative heart of the Beatles, Lennon and McCartney.

• 12 mins

Margot Fonteyn

Jim Naughtie considers the life and legacy of the eminent prima ballerina.

• 12 mins

Peter Hall

James Naughtie considers the colossus of 20th century English theatre.

• 12 mins

Terence Conran

James considers the impact of Terence Conran - designer, retailer, restaurateur and writer

• 12 mins

Enoch Powell

James Naughtie considers the controversial parliamentarian Enoch Powell.

• 12 mins

Cicely Saunders

James Naughtie profiles the founder of the modern hospice movement.

• 12 mins

Basil D'Oliveira

James Naughtie remembers the South African cricketer who aided the fight against apartheid

• 12 mins

George Best

James Naughtie considers the life and achievements of the footballer from Northern Ireland

• 12 mins

Germaine Greer

James considers the provocative feminist and academic.

• 12 mins

Robert Edwards

James Naughtie profiles the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who pioneered IVF.

• 12 mins

Jack Jones

James considers the lasting impact of the trade union leader.

• 12 mins

Roald Dahl

James Naughtie profiles the storyteller who enchanted children with his grotesque tales.

• 12 mins

David Bowie

James Naughtie considers the influence of the musical innovator and trendsetter.

• 12 mins

Talaiasi Labalaba

James Naughtie uncovers the little-known tale of SAS hero Talaiasi Labalaba.

• 12 mins

Jocelyn Bell Burnell

James Naughtie profiles Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the astrophysicist who discovered pulsars.

• 12 mins

Roy Jenkins

James Naughtie profiles the politician who left the Labour Party to set up the SDP.

• 12 mins

Vivienne Westwood

James Naughtie considers the headline-making fashion designer and former punk.

• 12 mins

Jayaben Desai

James Naughtie profiles the sewing machinist who led an infamous strike in the 1970s.

• 12 mins

Stuart Hall

James Naughtie profiles Stuart Hall, leading thinker on British culture, race and identity

• 12 mins

David Attenborough

James Naughtie considers the celebrated broadcaster and naturalist.

• 12 mins

Margaret Thatcher

James Naughtie considers the longest-serving prime minister of the 20th century.

• 12 mins

David Hockney

James Naughtie profiles the artist who has long been at the forefront of British art.

• 12 mins

Billy Connolly

The former shipyard worker who became one of the UK's most popular stand-up comedians.

• 12 mins

Ralph Robins

James Naughtie on the industrialist credited with turning around Rolls Royce's fortunes.

• 12 mins

Amartya Sen

James Naughtie profiles the Nobel prize-winning economist.

• 12 mins

Salman Rushdie

James Naughtie considers the Booker Prize-winning British Indian novelist.

• 12 mins

Anita Roddick

James Naughtie considers the influence of one of Britain's most successful businesswomen.

• 12 mins

Norman Foster

James considers the architect who has transformed the world's skylines and landscapes.

• 12 mins

Charles Saatchi

James Naughtie reflects on the high-flying advertising executive and art collector.

• 12 mins

Goldie

James Naughtie considers the contribution of the musician, artist and DJ.

• 12 mins

John Hume/David Trimble

Jim Naughtie profiles the Irish politicians who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998.

• 12 mins

Doreen Lawrence

Jim Naughtie profiles the campaigner and mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

• 12 mins

Tim Berners-Lee

The inventor of the World Wide Web and unlikely hero of the Olympic opening ceremony.

• 12 mins

Diana, Princess of Wales

James Naughtie reflects on the glamorous life and untimely death of the Princess of Wales.

• 12 mins

Alex Salmond

Jim Naughtie considers the Scottish politician with a passion for an independent Scotland.

• 12 mins

Tony Blair

James Naughtie profiles Tony Blair, the Labour Prime Minister who swept to power in 1997.

• 12 mins

Fred Goodwin

Jim Naughtie considers Fred Goodwin, the banker now bereft of his knighthood.

• 12 mins

Rupert Murdoch

James Naughtie profiles Rupert Murdoch, the global media magnate.

• 12 mins

Simon Cowell

James Naughtie profiles Simon Cowell, who made his name and fortune on talent shows.

• 12 mins

Queen Elizabeth II

James Naughtie profiles Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her diamond jubilee in 2012.

• 12 mins