Series 49

Ed Balls nominates Herbert Howells

Ed Balls discusses the influence of 20th-century composer Herbert Howells on his life.

• 28 mins

Series 49

Laura Marling on the first woman psychoanalyst, Lou Andreas-Salome

Laura Marling on the first female psychoanalyst Lou Andreas-Salomé.

• 28 mins

Series 49

Caroline Quentin nominates Sir John Vanbrugh, playwright and architect

Actress and presenter Caroline Quentin nominates dramatist and architect Sir John Vanbrugh

• 28 mins

Series 49

First Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald

Ramsay Macdonald, Labour's first prime minister, chosen by Shaun Ley.

• 28 mins

Series 49

Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori

Psychotherapist Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori.

• 28 mins

Series 49

Fiona Shaw nominates actress Eleonora Duse

Eleonora Duse, pioneering nineteenth-century actress, is the choice of Fiona Shaw.

• 28 mins

Series 49

Comedian Sindhu Vee on Prince

Comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.

• 28 mins

Series 49

Constance Agatha Cummings-John

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

• 28 mins

Series 50

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

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

• 28 mins

Series 50

War photographer and model Lee Miller proposed by Lindsey Hilsum of Channel 4 News

Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller

• 28 mins

Series 50

Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury

Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.

• 28 mins

Series 50

Novelist Enid Blyton

How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?

• 28 mins

Series 50

Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace

Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace

• 28 mins

Series 50

Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke

Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke

• 28 mins

Series 50

Kurt Vonnegut and Josie Long

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

• 28 mins

Series 50

Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison

Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.

• 28 mins

Rick Stein on Jim Morrison

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

• 26 mins

Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson

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

• 27 mins

Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables

Earthsea author Ursula le Guin

• 28 mins

The amazing Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

• 28 mins

Victoria Wood

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

• 28 mins

Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy

Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy.

• 28 mins

Billy Bremner of Leeds United

Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.

• 28 mins

Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy

Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.

• 28 mins

Dolly Alderton on Doris Day

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

• 28 mins

Mussolini

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

• 28 mins

Frida Kahlo nominated by Author Jessie Burton

Artist Frida Kahlo nominated by Jessie Burton

• 28 mins

Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

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

• 28 mins

Jessie Ware on Donna Summer

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

• 28 mins

Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant

Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin

• 28 mins

Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams

The comedian, presenter, and writer Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.

• 28 mins

Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor

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

• 28 mins

James Graham on John Maynard Keynes

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

• 28 mins

Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller

Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.

• 28 mins

Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII

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

• 28 mins

David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey

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

• 28 mins

The Great Lives of Great Lives

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

• 28 mins

Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding

Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding

• 28 mins

Rob Rinder on Jessica Mitford.

Jessica Mitford is championed by Robert Rinder.

• 28 mins

David Jonsson on Jean Michel Basquiat

Actor David Jonsson champions artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

• 28 mins