BBC Radio Podcasts from Great Lives
Harry Enfield on Gerard Hoffnung
Comedian Harry Enfield chooses the cartoonist, musician and raconteur Gerard Hoffnung.
Alan Freeman picked by Simon Mayo
Simon Mayo picks his broadcasting hero, Pick of the Pops's Alan 'Fluff' Freeman.
Actor Niamh Cusack on the life of poet Mary Oliver
Actor Niamh Cusack chooses the American poet Mary Oliver.
Mr Motivator picks Harry Belafonte
Mr Motivator chooses the King of Calypso, whose hits include Day-O and Jump in the Line.
Jimmy Wales on Thomas Jefferson
The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, picks the third president of the United States.
Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer
Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.
John Gray on JG Ballard
Philosopher John Gray chooses the iconic futuristic writer JG Ballard.
Iszi Lawrence on Diana Barnato Walker
Iszi Lawrence chooses record-breaking aviator Diana Barnato Walker.
Mohammad Mossadegh, PM of Iran ousted in a coup
Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup in Iran in 1953.
Ludwig Koch
Chris Watson on Ludwig Koch
Lady Eve Balfour
Lady Eve Balfour was a pioneering organic farmer and founder of the Soil Association.
Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley
Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley.
Chi-chi Nwanoku on Jessye Norman
Chi-chi Nwanoku picks the American singer Jessye Norman who became a global star of opera.
Ninette de Valois
‘The Godmother of English ballet’, Dame Ninette De Valois
Sophie Scott on Hattie Jacques
Sophie Scott chooses comedy legend Hattie Jacques.
Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo
The head of ZSL, Matthew Gould, picks the founder of London Zoo
Susie Dent on Thomas Mann
Susie Dent chooses the German writer Thomas Mann, who wrote Death in Venice.
Tony Benn
Ellie Gibson picks the Labour politician Tony Benn
Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials
Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials and Fun Boy Three - includes Lynval Golding
Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes
Jesse Norman picks Sir Edward Coke, lawyer and Parliamentarian.
Kofi Annan
Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
Frank Zappa
John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.
Arthur Ashe
Broadcaster Qasa Alom picks his hero Arthur Ashe.
Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking
Cressida Cowell on her hero Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking.
Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston
Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston
Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.
Roger Deakin, wild swimmer and author of Waterlogged
Nick Hayes, author of the Book of Trespass, nominates Roger Deakin.
Minette Batters on Henry Plumb
Matthew Parris is joined by the president of the National Farmers' Union, Minette Batters.
Bob Harris on Sir Matt Busby, Manchester United manager
Presenter Bob Harris champions Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
Noddy Holder on Chuck Berry
Slade frontman Noddy Holder champions the life of rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
Olivia Laing on Christopher Lloyd, Gardener and Writer
Writer Olivia Laing nominates the gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd.
Olia Hercules on Alla Horska, Ukrainian painter
Cookbook author and activist Olia Hercules nominates the Ukrainian painter Alla Horska.
Bonnie Greer on the Women of the Morant Bay Rebellion
Bonnie Greer nominates the women of the Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica.
George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood nominated by Lesley Garrett
Soprano Lesley Garrett celebrates the life of George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood
Romy Gill on poet Amrita Pritam
Chef Romy Gill celebrates a poet whose work was heavily influenced by Partition.
Rosalind Franklin picked by Kate Bingham, former head of the UK government's vaccine taskforce
Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the discovery of DNA.
Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw, Educationalist
Sir John Timpson picks Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw.
Ravi Shankar, India's famous sitar player
Bobby Seagull picks Ravi Shankar.
Holly Walsh on BS Johnson
Holly Walsh picks BS Johnson, fiery sixties novelist
Pat Nevin on Johan Cruyff
Pat Nevin picks Johan Cruyff, the Dutch footballer who changed how the game was played.
Judy Garland
Ethel Gumm, better known as Judy Garland, picked by Susie Boyt.
Joan Rhodes, strongest woman in the world
Anna Maxwell Martin proposes Joan Rhodes, variety artiste and strongwoman
Rob Newman on Franklin D Roosevelt
Comedian Rob Newman nominates one of his heroes, President Franklin D Roosevelt.
Mr Manchester Tony Wilson nominated by Terry Christian
Terry Christian from The Word on Tony Wilson of Factory Records and The Hacienda.
Gil Scott-Heron
Joe Swift on Gil Scott-Heron
Lolita Chakrabarti on actor Ira Aldridge
Lolita Chakrabarti on actor Ira Aldridge.
Janet Ellis on Puffin editor Kaye Webb
Blue Peter's Janet Ellis champions a children's publishing sensation.
Tom Hopkinson, editor of Picture Post
Donald Macintyre on Tom Hopkinson, editor of Picture Post and Drum.
Brian Cox on Lindsay Anderson
Brian Cox on Lindsay Anderson
Spike Milligan
Comedian and poet Henry Normal picks his comedy hero - Spike Milligan.
Roma Agrawal on Mrinalini Sarabhai
The engineer and author Roma Agrawal on Indian classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai.
Lady Hale on Lady Rhondda
Lady Hale on Lady Rhondda.
William Lever, Lord Leverhulme, founder of Unilever
The mighty soap manufacturer, William Lever, chosen by the boss of Iceland
Noor-Un-Nissa Inayat Khan
The muslim princess who became a WW2 Special Agent
Jeanne Baret, first woman to sail round the globe
Nina Sosanya picks Jeanne Baret, first woman round the globe.
Rory Sutherland on Johnny Ramone
The advertising guru Rory Sutherland on the founder of the New York punk band, the Ramones
JRR Tolkien, creator of The Hobbit
Niall Ferguson chooses JRR Tolkien, creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
Ruth Rogers on James Baldwin
Ruth Rogers chooses the life of writer James Baldwin.
Yanis Varoufakis on Hypatia
The life and brutal death of a gifted mathematician and philosopher from the ancient world
Dorothy Byrne on Catherine of Siena
The president of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge champions the life of the Italian saint
Peggy Seeger on her husband Ewan MacColl
Ewan MacColl - folk singer and labour activist - was born Jimmy Miller in Salford in 1915.
Josiah Wedgwood, master potter
Tristram Hunt on Josiah Wedgwood, vase maker general to the universe!
Frantz Fanon
The anti-colonial writer and psychiatrist from Martinique is the choice of Lindsay Johns
Althea Gibson
The first black tennis player to win Wimbledon is the choice of Professor Devi Sridhar
Yehudi Menuhin
Violinist Tasmin Little on her hero, Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
Hans Christian Andersen
Author of The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes, he was 'a very strange orchid'
The Surprise Lives
A runaway rollercoaster of Great Lives.
Rosie Millard on Edward III
Rosie tells Matthew Parris that Edward III was a cultural hero who deserves greater fame.
Ben Miller on William Hazlitt
Actor and comedian Ben Miller nominates essayist William Hazlitt.
Arlo Parks on Elliott Smith
Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks nominates the young life of singer Elliott Smith.
Jonathan Dimbleby on Harry Hopkins
President Roosevelt's right hand man in World War Two, Harry Hopkins.
KT Tunstall on Ivor Cutler
Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humorist Ivor Cutler
Black and British pioneer Kenny Lynch
Veteran black and British entertainer Kenny Lynch.
Chinua Achebe, Nigerian novelist
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown picks Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.
The Talented Mr Ripley author, Patricia Highsmith
Sometimes known as 'the stalker's balladeer', she is director Jonathan Kent's choice.
Rights activist Cesar Chavez nominated by Cori Crider
Human rights lawyer Cori Crider explains why she is inspired by the life of Cesar Chavez.
Caroline Catz on Delia Derbyshire
Actor Caroline Catz chooses Delia Derbyshire, who realised the theme to Doctor Who.
David Jonsson on Jean Michel Basquiat
Actor David Jonsson champions artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Rob Rinder on Jessica Mitford
Jessica Mitford is championed by Robert Rinder.
Diane Morgan on Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey
Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.
The Great Lives of Great Lives
After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.
Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller
Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
James Graham on John Maynard Keynes
The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.
Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant
Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
Frida Kahlo nominated by Author Jessie Burton
Artist Frida Kahlo nominated by Jessie Burton
Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943
Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
Billy Bremner of Leeds United
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
Maya Angelou
Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.
Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables
Earthsea author Ursula le Guin
Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
Rick Stein on Jim Morrison
Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long
Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
Novelist Enid Blyton
How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?
Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury
Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.
Lee Miller, war photographer and model
Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller.
Just William / Richmal Crompton proposed by Peter Oborne with Martin Jarvis
William Brown, star of the Just William books, proposed by Peter Oborne.
Constance Agatha Cummings-John
Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.
Comedian Sindhu Vee on Prince
The comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.
Fiona Shaw nominates the actress Eleonora Duse
Eleonora Duse, pioneering 19th-century actress, is the choice of Fiona Shaw.
Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori.
First Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay Macdonald, Labour's first Prime Minister, chosen by Shaun Ley.
Caroline Quentin nominates Sir John Vanbrugh
Caroline Quentin nominates the 17th century dramatist and architect Sir John Vanbrugh
Laura Marling on Lou Andreas-Salome
Laura Marling on the first female psychoanalyst Lou Andreas-Salomé.
Robinson Crusoe
Real-life castaway Lucy Irvine nominates Robinson Crusoe. With Martin Popplewell.
Ed Balls nominates Herbert Howells
Ed Balls discusses the influence of 20th-century composer Herbert Howells on his life.
Kamila Shamsie chooses Asma Jahangir
Kamila Shamsie champions the life of the human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir.
Shirley Collins on Alan Lomax
Shirley Collins and Billy Bragg on the legendary American song-hunter Alan Lomax.
Jeremy Deller on The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein
Turner Prize artist Jeremy Deller chooses The Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
Caroline Criado-Perez on Jane Austen
The feminist campaigner and writer Caroline Criado-Perez champions the life of Jane Austen
Kirill Gerstein on Ferruccio Busoni
Kirill Gerstein chooses conductor, composer and virtuoso Ferruccio Busoni
Malcolm Lowry, nominated by Ian McMillan
As a young man looking for a literary hero, poet Ian McMillan found writer Malcolm Lowry
Catherine de Medici nominated by Helen Lewis
Helen Lewis nominates the so-called 'Black Queen' of France, Catherine de Medici.
Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, chosen by Tom Holland
Tom Holland chooses Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians
Shappi Khorsandi on Emma, Lady Hamilton
Shappi Khorsandi chooses Emma, Lady Hamilton Lord Nelson’s mistress.
Matt Lucas on Freddie Mercury
Matt Lucas chooses Freddie Mercury
Rohan Silva on Colin Chapman
Matthew Parris profiles the inventor of the car that changed the face of Formula One
Suzanne O'Sullivan on Oliver Sacks
Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks is Suzanne O'Sullivan's hero, she tells Matthew Parris
Nikesh Shukla on the Great Gama
The Great Gama, the strongest man in the world, championed by author Nikesh Shukla.
Sathnam Sanghera on Alexander Gardner
Writer Sathnam Sanghera nominates adventurer Alexander Gardner
Mark Steel on Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin wasn’t funny but a political rebel. Mark Steel nominates him as his hero.
Tim Smit on Humphrey Jennings
Eden Project founder chooses documentary maker and artist Humphrey Jennings
Russell Kane on Evelyn Waugh
Comedian Russell Kane nominates novelist Evelyn Waugh, with Ann Pasternak Slater helping
Samira Ahmed on Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder: author Tracy Chevalier joins Samira Ahmed
Christina Lamb on Benazir Bhutto
Christina Lamb, author and journalist nominates Benazir Bhutto as her great life.
Helen Glover on Alison Hargreaves
Olympic rower Helen Glover nominates the mountaineer Alison Hargreaves who died on K2.
Mark Carwardine on Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Cherie Blair on Dame Rose Heilbron
Cherie Blair chooses her role mode, England's first woman judge, Rose Heilbron
Greg Jenner on Gene Kelly
'Horrible Histories' consultant Greg Jenner on his all time favourite - Gene Kelly.
Patricia Greene on Bess of Hardwick
Patricia Greene, the actress who plays Jill Archer, nominates Bess of Hardwick as her hero
Simon Evans on JS Mill
Comedian Simon Evans nominates JS Mill, author of On Liberty.
Erica Wagner on Roald Amundsen
Matthew Parris on Roald Amundsen, first man to the South Pole.
Hanif Kureishi on David Bowie
Hanif Kureishi nominates his friend David Bowie as his hero.
Barbara Stocking on Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great is chosen by Dame Barbara Stocking. Matthew Parris presents.
Suzy Klein on Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr, actress, inventor, and the most beautiful woman in the world.
Mica Paris on Josephine Baker
Soul singer Mica Paris tells Matthew Parris why Josephine Baker is her heroine.
Simon Callow on Orson Welles
Matthew Parris meets the actor Simon Callow to discuss the life of Orson Welles.
Ayesha Hazarika on Jayaben Desai
Ayesha Hazarika champions her hero Jayaben Desai who led the Grunwick strike in 1976.
Tej Lalvani on Richard Feynman
Tej Lalvani nominates the physicist and bongo playing Richard Feynman as his great life.
Laura Serrant on Audre Lorde
Laura Serrant chooses the poet and activist Audre Lorde. From 2018.
Adrian Utley of Portishead on Miles Davis
Miles Davis chosen by Adrian Utley of Portishead.
Jim Moir on Captain Beefheart
Jim Moir, aka Vic Reeves, chooses the life of Don van Vliet - Captain Beefheart.
Gisela Stuart on Joseph Chamberlain
Gisela Stuart nominates Joseph Chamberlain as her great life.
Liza Tarbuck on Nikola Tesla
Liza Tarbuck nominates Nikola Tesla as her great life. Matthew Parris presents.
Justin Marozzi on Herodotus
Herodotus - father of history or father of lies? Matthew Parris presents.
Hertha Ayrton
Helen Arney, scientist and geek songstress, nominates pioneer physicist Hertha Ayrton.
Nazir Afzal on Gandhi
Nazir Afzal chooses Mahatma Gandhi as his great life.
Louise Richardson on Daniel O'Connell
Louise Richardson nominates Daniel O'Connell, hero of Catholic emancipation in 1829.
Cornelia Parker on Marcel Duchamp
Marcel Duchamp, father of conceptual art, is fellow artist Cornelia Parker's great life.
Will Gregory on Flann O'Brien
Goldfrapp's Will Gregory takes the stage to nominate Irish writer Flann O'Brien.
Helena Morrissey on Rachael Heyhoe Flint
City boss Helena Morrissey champions the life of Rachael Heyhoe Flint as her great life.
Andrea Catherwood on Constance Markievicz
Constance Markievicz, Irish rebel countess and the first woman elected to Parliament.
Nicholas Stern on Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is economist Nicholas Stern's great life as he tells Matthew Parris.
Helen Sharman on Elsie Widdowson
British spacewoman Helen Sharman chooses scientist Elsie Widdowson as her great life.
Tracy Chevalier on Mary Anning
Novelist Tracy Chevalier chooses the fossil hunter Mary Anning as her great life.
Don McCullin on Norman Lewis
Don McCullin chooses his old travel companion Norman Lewis for Great Lives.
Maxine Peake on Ellen Wilkinson
Maxine Peake nominates her working class hero the MP Ellen Wilkinson as her great life.
Stephen Fry on PG Wodehouse
Stephen Fry nominates his hero, PG Wodehouse, who just simply cheers him up.
Peter Williams of Jack Wills chooses Steve Jobs
Peter Williams of Jack Wills champions the abrasive Steve Jobs, founder of Apple.
Iain Lee on Andy Kaufman
Cult legend Andy Kaufman chosen by Iain Lee as his great life.
Sue Cameron on Emma of Normandy
Twice queen of England and mother of two kings, but have you heard of Emma of Normandy?
Steven Knight on Sitting Bull
Steven Knight, creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’, nominates Sitting Bull.
Peaches Golding on Shirley Chisholm
Peaches Golding OBE, nominates African American politician Shirley Chisholm.
Anton Du Beke on Arnold Palmer
Anton Du Beke chooses the golfer Arnold Palmer to discuss with Matthew Parris.
Ermonela Jaho on Mother Teresa
The Albanian opera singer Ermonela Jaho chooses the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Germaine Greer on Dame Elizabeth Frink
Germaine Greer nominates sculptor Dame Elizabeth Frink. Presented by Matthew Parris.
Gary Kemp on EW Godwin
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet chooses architect-designer, Edward William Godwin.
Chris Patten on Pope John XXIII
Chris Patten nominates Pope John XXIII. With Professor Eamon Duffy and Matthew Parris.
Len Goodman on Lionel Bart
Len Goodman champions Lionel Bart, the man who created the musical Oliver, as his hero.
Akram Khan on Srinivasa Ramanujan
One of the UK's leading choreographers nominates the Indian mathematician Ramanujan.
Suzannah Lipscomb on CS Lewis
CS Lewis, author of the Narnia Chronicles, chosen by historian Suzannah Lipscomb.
Ruth Holdaway on Helen Rollason
Ruth Holdaway picks the sports broadcaster Helen Rollason as her great life.
Orlando Murrin on Dinu Lipatti
Matthew Parris invites Orlando Murrin to discuss the life of Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti
Sir Ben Kingsley on Elie Wiesel
Sir Ben Kingsley champions the life of holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel as his great life.
Cary Grant
Lucy Porter, the comedian and writer, champions Cary Grant as her Great Life
Cyrus Todiwala on Dadabhai Naoroji
Cyrus Todiwala picks Dadabhai Naoroji who in 1892 became Britain's first Asian MP.
AA Gill on Arthur Neville Chamberlain
AA Gill nominates Arthur Neville Chamberlain as his great life.
Eliza Carthy on Caroline Norton
Eliza Carthy chooses Caroline Norton who campaigned for women in the 19th-century.
Maureen Lipman on Dame Cicely Saunders
Maureen Lipman champions the life of hospice campaigner Dame Cicely Saunders.
Tony Hawks on Marshall Rosenberg
The life of the creator of nonviolent communication Marshall Rosenber, with Matthew Parris
Dag Hammarskjold
Matthew Parris on the life and death of Dag Hammarskjold
Sara Pascoe on Virginia Woolf
Sara Pascoe champions Virginia Woolf, author of 'Mrs Dalloway' and 'A Room of One's Own'.
Alex Salmond on Thomas Muir
Alex Salmond chooses Thomas Muir, whom he describes as the father of Scottish democracy.
Hilary Devey on Gracie Fields
The life of Dame Gracie Fields is championed by Hilary Devey. From 2016.
Frank Turner on Joseph Grimaldi
Frank Turner chooses Joseph Grimaldi who changed the face of Clowning forever.
George Fox
George Fox, founder of the Quakers, nominated by Ann Limb
Charles Moore on Gordon Hamilton-Fairley
Cancer pioneer Gordon Hamilton-Fairley, killed by an IRA bomb when he was just 45.
Richard the Lionheart
Timmy Mallett chooses Richard the Lionheart. With Helen Castor and Matthew Parris.
Graeme Lamb on Christine Granville
Lt-Gen Sir Graeme Lamb champions wartime spy Christine Granville. Matthew Parris chairs
Sudha Bhuchar chooses the life of Zohra Sehgal
Playwright and actress Sudha Bhuchar nominates the life of actor Zohra Sehgal.
Ray Peacock chooses the life of Lenny Bruce
Comedian Ray Peacock nominates the controversial life of Lenny Bruce.
Nancy Dell'Olio chooses the life of Lucrezia Borgia
Nancy Dell'Olio champions the much maligned Lucrezia Borgia.
Alfred Hitchcock
Anthony Horowitz champions the life of Alfred Hitchcock.
Eliza Manningham-Buller chooses Abraham Lincoln
Eliza Manningham-Buller on why she regards Abraham Lincoln as a great life.
Nitin Sawhney on Jeff Buckley
Nitin Sawhney champions the life of American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley
Susan Calman on Molly Weir
Matthew Parris hears from Susan Calman who has chosen the life of Molly Weir to discuss
Martin Jennings on Charles Sargeant Jagger
Martin Jennings nominates the British sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger.
Precious Lunga chooses Wangari Maathai
Matthew Parris explores the remarkable life of Professor Wangari Maathai.
Alvin Hall chooses James Baldwin
Matthew Parris meets financial guru Alvin Hall, whose hero is James Baldwin.
Roger Saul chooses Gertrude Jekyll
Fashion designer Roger Saul chooses garden designer Gertrude Jekyll
Dickie Bird on the life of Sir Leonard Hutton
Dickie Bird champions his hero Sir Leonard Hutton.
Toyah Willcox on Katharine Hepburn
Toyah Willcox nominates her hero Katharine Hepburn who she met and worked with.
Nick Stadlen on Bram Fischer
Nick Stadlen champions the life of the Afrikaner Revolutionary Bram Fischer.
Hannah Rothschild on Thelonious Monk
Hannah Rothschild looks back at the life of jazz musician Thelonious Monk.
Monica Ali chooses Richard Francis Burton
The author Monica Ali champions the life of the explorer Richard Francis Burton.
George Washington Williams
Ade Adepitan champions the life of George Washington Williams.
Michael Howard on Elizabeth I
Michael Howard, Conservative Party former leader, tells Matthew Parris about Elizabeth I.
Vicky Pryce on Melina Mercouri
Economist Vicky Pryce nominates the Greek film star and politician Melina Mercouri.
Ian McKellen on Edmund Hillary
Sir Ian McKellen nominates mountaineer Edmund Hillary as his inspirational figure.
Val McDermid on PD James
Matthew Parris talks to crime writer Val McDermid about the life of PD James
David Blunkett on Louis Braille
Matthew Parris hears from David Blunkett about the life of Louis Braille. From 2015.
US Ambassador Matthew Barzun on JG Winant
Matthew Parris meets US Ambassador Matthew Barzun to talk about his wartime predecessor.
Antonia Quirke on Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando - greatest actor of the twentieth century?
Wendy Cope on John Clare
Matthew Parris talks to Wendy Cope about her poetic hero John Clare. From 2015.
Dame Helen Ghosh on James Lees-Milne
Matthew Parris talks to the National Trust's Dame Helen Ghosh about James Lees-Milne.
Kulvinder Ghir on Zoran Music
Comedian and actor Kulvinder Ghir nominates the life of the artist Zoran Music.
Rachel Johnson on Ottoline Morrell
Rachel Johnson author and journalist champions the life of Ottoline Morrell.
Sir Trevor McDonald on Learie Constantine
The veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald chooses the life of Learie Constantine
Mervyn King on Risto Ryti
Mervyn King champions the life of the former Prime Minister of Finland Risto Ryti.
Eve Pollard on Nora Ephron
Journalist Eve Pollard explores Hollywood screenwriter Nora Ephron with Matthew Parris.
Michael Dobbs on Guy Burgess
Michael Dobbs looks back at the life of Cambridge spy Guy Burgess.
Philippa Langley on Richard III
Matthew Parris talks to Philippa Langley about the life of Richard III.
Tom Solomon on Roald Dahl
Professor Tom Solomon talks about his former patient, writer Roald Dahl.
Brian Eno on Lord Young of Dartington
Brian Eno champions the life and work of social reformer Michael Young.
Laura Bates on Louisa May Alcott
Laura Bates tells Matthew Parris why Louisa May Alcott of "Little Women" is her Great Life
Arthur Smith on Emil Zátopek
Comedian Arthur Smith tells Matthew Parris about the life of Olympic runner Emil Zátopek.
Professor Edith Hall on Lucille Ball
Matthew Parris invites Professor Edith Hall to nominate her idol.
Andrew Adonis on Joseph Bazalgette
Lord Adonis chooses Victorian engineer, aka 'The Sewer King', Sir Joseph Bazalgette
Stella Rimington on Dorothy L Sayers
Dame Stella Rimington explains to Matthew Parris why Dorothy L Sayers fascinates her.
Labi Siffre on Arthur Ransome
Matthew Parris invites singer songwriter Labi Siffre to nominate his choice of life.
Tom Shakespeare on Gramsci
Dr Tom Shakespeare tells Matthew Parris why Antonio Gramsci's is a Great Life.
Ray Mears on Rommel
Ray Mears champions the life of Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel.
Baroness Oona King on Ida B Wells
Ida B. Wells the African American civil rights activist is chosen by Baroness Oona King
Jazzie B on James Brown
Soul II Soul's Jazzie B chooses the life of musician and singer James Brown.
Jonathan Meades on Edward Burra
Writer Jonathan Meades nominates the English artist Edward Burra.
Ernest Hemingway
Monty Python's Michael Palin chooses the American writer, Ernest Hemingway.
John Craven on Brunel
John Craven proposes Victorian Engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as a great life.
Isy Suttie on Jake Thackray
Isy Suttie chooses Yorkshire-born singer songwriter Jake Thackray
Emma Kirkby on Henry Purcell
Soprano Emma Kirkby discusses the life of composer Henry Purcell with Matthew Parris
Deborah Moggach on Arnold Bennett
The author Deborah Moggach talks about the life of Potteries writer Arnold Bennett.
Marcus du Sautoy on Jorge Luis Borges
Blind Argentinian writer Borges is championed by Marcus de Sautoy.
Sir Mark Walport on Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, is championed by Sir Mark Walport.
Ian Curtis
Poet Simon Armitage nominates Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
Sarah Vine on Dante
Sarah Vine chooses Dante, author of the Italian literary masterpiece the Divine Comedy
Evelyn Glennie on Jacqueline Du Pre
The English Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre is championed by solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
DJ Sara Cox nominates singer Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes
Sara Cox nominates the American hip hop artist and rapper Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.
Mark Constantine on Kahlil Gibran
Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.
Meg Rosoff on Isabella Bird
Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird
Dave Allen chosen by Adil Ray
Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents
David Baddiel on John Updike
Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.
Sir David Chipperfield on Le Corbusier
Architect, Sir David Chipperfield, chooses Le Corbusier
Michael Horovitz on Allen Ginsberg
Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.
Ricky Ross on Hank Williams
Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.
Nina Simone
Joanna Macgregor nominates the chanteuse and civil rights activist Nina Simone.
Nancy Mitford
Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford, author of Love in a Cold Climate. From 2013.
Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery
Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck
Matthew Parris is joined by Sir Brendan Barber who chooses John Steinbeck as a Great Life.
Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace
TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.
Peter Bowles on George Devine
Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.
Paul Mason on Louise Michel
Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.
Julie Burchill on Ava Gardner
The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.
Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore
Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.
Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti
Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti
Russell Grant on Ivor Novello
Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.
Florence Nightingale
Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.
Primo Levi
Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.
Salvador Dali
John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.
Bill Shankly
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Gyles Brandreth praises the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
David Livingstone
John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
Kenny Everett
Chris Tarrant chooses one of the great pioneers of modern radio - Kenny Everett.
Galileo
Bobby Friction champions the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
George Bell
Peter Hitchens nominates George Bell, who condemned the bombing of Germany.
William Robinson
Gardener Carol Klein's choice is wild garden hero, William Robinson. With Matthew Parris.
Aubrey Beardsley
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.
John Stuart Mill
Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.
Grigori Rasputin
Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Jean Cocteau
Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.
Dick Francis
Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.
George Orwell
Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.
Edith Wharton
Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.
Karel Reisz
Film-maker Stephen Frears champions his mentor, Karel Reisz.
Stan Laurel
Comedian and performer Ken Dodd explains how Stan Laurel inspired him to go into comedy.
Juvenal
Matthew Parris and his guest Natalie Haynes encounter the Latin poet Juvenal.
Leonard Maguire
Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.
Walter Scott
Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.
Josephine Bonaparte
Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.
Henry Cooper
Des Lynam chooses Henry Cooper for Great Lives.
Sebastian Walker
Lynn Barber talks to Matthew Parris about Sebastian Walker of Walker Books.
Goya
Diana Athill joins Matthew Parris to explore the life of Spanish painter Goya.
John Ford
Eric Pickles chooses Hollywood director John Ford.
Edward Said
Alexei Sayle explains why scholar and literary critic Edward Said inspired him.
George Lyward
Tom Robinson explains how educationalist George Lyward saved his life.
Gertrude Stein
Erin Pizzey chooses Gertrude Stein. With Diana Souhami. Presented by Matthew Parris.
Oscar Wilde
Will Self nominates Oscar Wilde.
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas chosen by Welsh poet Owen Sheers.
Razia Sultana
Conservative politician Baroness Warsi nominates a 13th-century Indian princess.
Vera Brittain
Baroness Shirley Williams discusses her mother, the feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain.
Gracie Allen
Actress Emma Kennedy chooses the life of the American comedienne Gracie Allen.
Joseph Rotblat
Astronomer Royal Sir Martin Rees champions the life of his hero, physicist Joseph Rotblat.
Lonnie Donegan
Downton Abbey actor Jim Carter champions the life and work of skiffle king Lonnie Donegan.
Ludwig II of Bavaria
Brian Sewell on his love of 'Mad' King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Thomas Hobbes
Steven Pinker joins Matthew Parris to discuss the life of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein, fascinating and misunderstood thinker, is chosen by Raymond Tallis.
Philip K Dick
Michael Sheen champions Philip K Dick who has had an influence on his production of Hamlet
William Shakespeare
Poetry curator Daisy Goodwin nominates the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
Gerald Durrell
Former England player Graeme le Saux champions the life of conservationist Gerald Durrell.
Hildegard Von Bingen
Cerys Matthews on why 12th-century nun Hildegard von Bingen qualifies as a great life.
Edwin Lutyens
Simon Jenkins proposes Edwin Lutyens, architect of New Delhi and the Cenotaph.
Hans Fallada
Fast Show comic Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he is fascinated by writer Hans Fallada
Eduardo Paolozzi
Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates the Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
Kirsty MacColl
Broadcaster Janice Long champions the life and work of singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl.
Graham Greene
War reporter Tim Butcher chooses an exploration into the strange world of Graham Greene.
Harold Pinter
Matthew Parris introduces the life of writer Harold Pinter, chosen by Diane Abbott MP.
Jack Johnson
Matthew Syed chooses the first African-American world heavyweight boxing champion.
Petra Kelly
Green MP Caroline Lucas nominates Petra Kelly, the German Green superstar politician.
Lewis Carroll
Writer Lynne Truss chooses the creator of Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll.
Kathleen Ferrier
Broadcaster Sue MacGregor nominates singer Kathleen Ferrier who died tragically young.
Simone de Beauvoir
Actress Diana Quick selects philosopher Simone de Beauvoir for Great Lives.
Leonard Bernstein
Conductor Charles Hazlewood chooses Leonard Bernstein.
Thomas Edison
Sir Clive Sinclair discusses fellow inventor Thomas Edison with Matthew Parris.
Marcus Garvey
Playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah on Marcus Garvey, the inspirational 20th-century black leader.
Mary Stott
Katharine Whitehorn chooses journalist and campaigner Mary Stott.
Gertrude Bell
Physicist Jim al-Khalili nominates Gertrude Bell who shaped modern-day Iraq.
Aneurin Bevan
Lord Kinnock chooses the life of Aneurin Bevan, the founder of the NHS.
Sammy Davis Jr
Dancer and actor Lionel Blair chooses his friend, Sammy Davis Jr.
Samuel Beckett
Business guru Sir Gerry Robinson chooses playwright Samuel Beckett.
DH Lawrence
Poet John Hegley chooses the author of Lady Chatterley's Lover, DH Lawrence.
Malcolm McLaren
Public relations expert Mark Borkowski discusses the life of the Sex Pistols' manager.
Walt Disney
Gerald Scarfe, merciless political cartoon satirist, chooses an icon who created icons.
Michel de Montaigne
Professor Robert Winston chooses a famous writer from the French Renaissance.
Winston Churchill
Lord Digby Jones chooses Winston Churchill, with contribution from Prof David Reynolds.
Golda Meir
Edwina Currie discusses the life of former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir.