Robinson Crusoe picked by Lucy Irvine, author of Castaway Read more
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Series 49
Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoe picked by Lucy Irvine, author of Castaway
Ed Balls nominates Herbert Howells
Ed Balls discusses the influence of 20th-century composer Herbert Howells on his life.
Laura Marling on the first woman psychoanalyst, Lou Andreas-Salome
Laura Marling on the first female psychoanalyst Lou Andreas-Salomé.
Caroline Quentin nominates Sir John Vanbrugh, playwright and architect
Actress and presenter Caroline Quentin nominates dramatist and architect Sir John Vanbrugh
First Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay Macdonald, Labour's first prime minister, chosen by Shaun Ley.
Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori.
Fiona Shaw nominates actress Eleonora Duse
Eleonora Duse, pioneering nineteenth-century actress, is the choice of Fiona Shaw.
Comedian Sindhu Vee on Prince
Comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.
Constance Agatha Cummings-John
Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.
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
War photographer and model Lee Miller proposed by Lindsey Hilsum of Channel 4 News
Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller
Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury
Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.
Novelist Enid Blyton
How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?
Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
Kurt Vonnegut and Josie Long
Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.
