Simon Mayo picks his broadcasting hero, Pick of the Pops's Alan 'Fluff' Freeman.
Published on Tuesday, 23rd January 2024.
Actor Niamh Cusack chooses the American poet Mary Oliver.
Published on Tuesday, 16th January 2024.
Mr Motivator chooses the King of Calypso, whose hits include Day-O and Jump in the Line.
Published on Tuesday, 9th January 2024.
The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, picks the third president of the United States.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd January 2024.
Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.
Published on Tuesday, 26th December 2023.
Philosopher John Gray chooses the iconic futuristic writer JG Ballard.
Published on Tuesday, 19th December 2023.
Iszi Lawrence chooses record-breaking aviator Diana Barnato Walker.
Published on Thursday, 14th December 2023.
Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup in Iran in 1953.
Published on Tuesday, 5th December 2023.
Chris Watson on Ludwig Koch
Published on Friday, 29th September 2023.
Lady Eve Balfour was a pioneering organic farmer and founder of the Soil Association.
Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley.
Chi-chi Nwanoku picks the American singer Jessye Norman who became a global star of opera.
Published on Tuesday, 19th September 2023.
‘The Godmother of English ballet’, Dame Ninette De Valois
Published on Tuesday, 5th September 2023.
Sophie Scott chooses comedy legend Hattie Jacques.
Published on Tuesday, 15th August 2023.
The head of ZSL, Matthew Gould, picks the founder of London Zoo
Published on Tuesday, 8th August 2023.
Susie Dent chooses the German writer Thomas Mann, who wrote Death in Venice.
Published on Tuesday, 1st August 2023.
Ellie Gibson picks the Labour politician Tony Benn
Published on Thursday, 1st June 2023.
Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials and Fun Boy Three - includes Lynval Golding
Published on Tuesday, 16th May 2023.
Jesse Norman picks Sir Edward Coke, lawyer and Parliamentarian.
Published on Wednesday, 10th May 2023.
Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd May 2023.
John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why
Published on Tuesday, 25th April 2023.
Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.
Published on Tuesday, 11th April 2023.
Broadcaster Qasa Alom picks his hero Arthur Ashe.
Published on Tuesday, 4th April 2023.
Cressida Cowell on her hero Astrid Lindgren, creator of Pippi Longstocking.
Published on Monday, 20th February 2023.
Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston
Published on Tuesday, 24th January 2023.
Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.
Published on Tuesday, 17th January 2023.
Nick Hayes, author of the Book of Trespass, nominates Roger Deakin.
Published on Monday, 9th January 2023.
Matthew Parris is joined by the president of the National Farmers' Union, Minette Batters.
Published on Tuesday, 3rd January 2023.
Presenter Bob Harris champions Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.
Published on Tuesday, 27th December 2022.
Slade frontman Noddy Holder champions the life of rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
Published on Tuesday, 20th December 2022.
Writer Olivia Laing nominates the gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd.
Published on Tuesday, 13th December 2022.
Cookbook author and activist Olia Hercules nominates the Ukrainian painter Alla Horska.
Published on Friday, 9th December 2022.
Bonnie Greer nominates the women of the Morant Bay Rebellion in Jamaica.
Published on Wednesday, 28th September 2022.
Soprano Lesley Garrett celebrates the life of George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood
Published on Tuesday, 13th September 2022.
Chef Romy Gill celebrates a poet whose work was heavily influenced by Partition.
Published on Tuesday, 6th September 2022.
Rosalind Franklin, whose work was central to the discovery of DNA.
Published on Tuesday, 30th August 2022.
Sir John Timpson picks Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw.
Published on Tuesday, 23rd August 2022.
Bobby Seagull picks Ravi Shankar.
Published on Tuesday, 16th August 2022.
Holly Walsh picks BS Johnson, fiery sixties novelist
Published on Wednesday, 10th August 2022.
Pat Nevin picks Johan Cruyff, the Dutch footballer who changed how the game was played.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd August 2022.
Ethel Gumm, better known as Judy Garland, picked by Susie Boyt.
Published on Tuesday, 31st May 2022.
Anna Maxwell Martin proposes Joan Rhodes, variety artiste and strongwoman
Published on Tuesday, 24th May 2022.
Comedian Rob Newman nominates one of his heroes, President Franklin D Roosevelt.
Published on Tuesday, 17th May 2022.
Terry Christian from The Word on Tony Wilson of Factory Records and The Hacienda.
Published on Tuesday, 10th May 2022.
Joe Swift on Gil Scott-Heron
Published on Tuesday, 3rd May 2022.
Lolita Chakrabarti on actor Ira Aldridge.
Published on Tuesday, 26th April 2022.
Blue Peter's Janet Ellis champions a children's publishing sensation.
Published on Tuesday, 19th April 2022.
Donald Macintyre on Tom Hopkinson, editor of Picture Post and Drum.
Published on Tuesday, 12th April 2022.
Brian Cox on Lindsay Anderson
Published on Friday, 8th April 2022.
Comedian and poet Henry Normal picks his comedy hero - Spike Milligan.
Published on Tuesday, 25th January 2022.
The engineer and author Roma Agrawal on Indian classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai.
Published on Tuesday, 18th January 2022.
Lady Hale on Lady Rhondda.
Published on Tuesday, 11th January 2022.
The mighty soap manufacturer, William Lever, chosen by the boss of Iceland
Published on Monday, 10th January 2022.
The muslim princess who became a WW2 Special Agent
Published on Tuesday, 28th December 2021.
Nina Sosanya picks Jeanne Baret, first woman round the globe.
Published on Tuesday, 21st December 2021.
The advertising guru Rory Sutherland on the founder of the New York punk band, the Ramones
Published on Tuesday, 14th December 2021.
Niall Ferguson chooses JRR Tolkien, creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
Published on Tuesday, 7th December 2021.
Ruth Rogers chooses the life of writer James Baldwin.
Published on Tuesday, 28th September 2021.
The life and brutal death of a gifted mathematician and philosopher from the ancient world
Published on Tuesday, 21st September 2021.
The president of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge champions the life of the Italian saint
Published on Tuesday, 14th September 2021.
Ewan MacColl - folk singer and labour activist - was born Jimmy Miller in Salford in 1915.
Published on Tuesday, 7th September 2021.
Tristram Hunt on Josiah Wedgwood, vase maker general to the universe!
Published on Wednesday, 1st September 2021.
The anti-colonial writer and psychiatrist from Martinique is the choice of Lindsay Johns
Published on Tuesday, 24th August 2021.
The first black tennis player to win Wimbledon is the choice of Professor Devi Sridhar
Published on Tuesday, 17th August 2021.
Violinist Tasmin Little on her hero, Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
Published on Tuesday, 10th August 2021.
Author of The Little Mermaid and The Emperor's New Clothes, he was 'a very strange orchid'
Published on Tuesday, 3rd August 2021.
A runaway rollercoaster of Great Lives.
Published on Thursday, 3rd June 2021.
Rosie tells Matthew Parris that Edward III was a cultural hero who deserves greater fame.
Published on Tuesday, 25th May 2021.
Actor and comedian Ben Miller nominates essayist William Hazlitt.
Published on Tuesday, 18th May 2021.
Singer-songwriter Arlo Parks nominates the young life of singer Elliott Smith.
Published on Wednesday, 12th May 2021.
President Roosevelt's right hand man in World War Two, Harry Hopkins.
Published on Thursday, 6th May 2021.
Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humorist Ivor Cutler
Published on Tuesday, 27th April 2021.
Veteran black and British entertainer Kenny Lynch.
Published on Tuesday, 20th April 2021.
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown picks Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.
Published on Thursday, 15th April 2021.
Sometimes known as 'the stalker's balladeer', she is director Jonathan Kent's choice.
Published on Wednesday, 7th April 2021.
Human rights lawyer Cori Crider explains why she is inspired by the life of Cesar Chavez.
Published on Tuesday, 26th January 2021.
Actor Caroline Catz chooses Delia Derbyshire, who realised the theme to Doctor Who.
Published on Tuesday, 19th January 2021.
Actor David Jonsson champions artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Published on Tuesday, 12th January 2021.
Jessica Mitford is championed by Robert Rinder.
Published on Tuesday, 5th January 2021.
Comedian and actor Diane Morgan chooses the life of Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding
Published on Tuesday, 29th December 2020.
Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.
Published on Thursday, 17th December 2020.
After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.
Published on Friday, 11th December 2020.
Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Published on Tuesday, 8th December 2020.
Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
Published on Tuesday, 29th September 2020.
The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.
Published on Tuesday, 22nd September 2020.
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
Published on Tuesday, 15th September 2020.
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
Published on Tuesday, 8th September 2020.
Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
Published on Tuesday, 1st September 2020.
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
Published on Tuesday, 25th August 2020.
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
Published on Tuesday, 18th August 2020.
Artist Frida Kahlo nominated by Jessie Burton
Published on Wednesday, 12th August 2020.
Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943
Published on Tuesday, 4th August 2020.
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd June 2020.
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
Published on Tuesday, 26th May 2020.
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
Published on Tuesday, 19th May 2020.
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
Published on Wednesday, 13th May 2020.
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
Published on Tuesday, 5th May 2020.
Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.
Published on Wednesday, 29th April 2020.
Earthsea author Ursula le Guin
Published on Tuesday, 21st April 2020.
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
Published on Tuesday, 14th April 2020.
Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
Published on Friday, 10th April 2020.
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.
Published on Tuesday, 21st January 2020.
Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long
Published on Friday, 10th January 2020.
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
Published on Friday, 3rd January 2020.
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
Published on Tuesday, 24th December 2019.
How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?
Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.
Published on Tuesday, 17th December 2019.
Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller.
Published on Tuesday, 10th December 2019.
William Brown, star of the Just William books, proposed by Peter Oborne.
Published on Tuesday, 3rd December 2019.
Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.
Published on Monday, 7th October 2019.
The comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.
Published on Tuesday, 17th September 2019.
Eleonora Duse, pioneering 19th-century actress, is the choice of Fiona Shaw.
Published on Thursday, 12th September 2019.
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori.
Published on Tuesday, 3rd September 2019.
Ramsay Macdonald, Labour's first Prime Minister, chosen by Shaun Ley.
Published on Tuesday, 27th August 2019.
Caroline Quentin nominates the 17th century dramatist and architect Sir John Vanbrugh
Published on Tuesday, 20th August 2019.
Laura Marling on the first female psychoanalyst Lou Andreas-Salomé.
Published on Tuesday, 13th August 2019.
Real-life castaway Lucy Irvine nominates Robinson Crusoe. With Martin Popplewell.
Ed Balls discusses the influence of 20th-century composer Herbert Howells on his life.
Published on Monday, 12th August 2019.
Kamila Shamsie champions the life of the human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir.
Published on Tuesday, 28th May 2019.
Shirley Collins and Billy Bragg on the legendary American song-hunter Alan Lomax.
Published on Tuesday, 21st May 2019.
Turner Prize artist Jeremy Deller chooses The Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
Published on Wednesday, 15th May 2019.
The feminist campaigner and writer Caroline Criado-Perez champions the life of Jane Austen
Published on Tuesday, 7th May 2019.
Kirill Gerstein chooses conductor, composer and virtuoso Ferruccio Busoni
Published on Wednesday, 1st May 2019.
As a young man looking for a literary hero, poet Ian McMillan found writer Malcolm Lowry
Published on Tuesday, 23rd April 2019.
Helen Lewis nominates the so-called 'Black Queen' of France, Catherine de Medici.
Published on Thursday, 18th April 2019.
Tom Holland chooses Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians
Published on Tuesday, 16th April 2019.
Shappi Khorsandi chooses Emma, Lady Hamilton Lord Nelson’s mistress.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd April 2019.
Matt Lucas chooses Freddie Mercury
Published on Tuesday, 22nd January 2019.
Matthew Parris profiles the inventor of the car that changed the face of Formula One
Published on Tuesday, 15th January 2019.
Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks is Suzanne O'Sullivan's hero, she tells Matthew Parris
Published on Tuesday, 8th January 2019.
The Great Gama, the strongest man in the world, championed by author Nikesh Shukla.
Published on Tuesday, 1st January 2019.
Writer Sathnam Sanghera nominates adventurer Alexander Gardner
Published on Friday, 28th December 2018.
Charlie Chaplin wasn’t funny but a political rebel. Mark Steel nominates him as his hero.
Published on Tuesday, 25th December 2018.
Eden Project founder chooses documentary maker and artist Humphrey Jennings
Published on Wednesday, 19th December 2018.
Comedian Russell Kane nominates novelist Evelyn Waugh, with Ann Pasternak Slater helping
Published on Tuesday, 11th December 2018.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: author Tracy Chevalier joins Samira Ahmed
Published on Tuesday, 4th December 2018.
Christina Lamb, author and journalist nominates Benazir Bhutto as her great life.
Published on Tuesday, 25th September 2018.
Olympic rower Helen Glover nominates the mountaineer Alison Hargreaves who died on K2.
Published on Thursday, 20th September 2018.
Douglas Adams the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Published on Tuesday, 18th September 2018.
Cherie Blair chooses her role mode, England's first woman judge, Rose Heilbron
Published on Tuesday, 11th September 2018.
'Horrible Histories' consultant Greg Jenner on his all time favourite - Gene Kelly.
Published on Wednesday, 5th September 2018.
Patricia Greene, the actress who plays Jill Archer, nominates Bess of Hardwick as her hero
Published on Tuesday, 21st August 2018.
Comedian Simon Evans nominates JS Mill, author of On Liberty.
Published on Tuesday, 14th August 2018.
Matthew Parris on Roald Amundsen, first man to the South Pole.
Published on Wednesday, 8th August 2018.
Hanif Kureishi nominates his friend David Bowie as his hero.
Published on Tuesday, 31st July 2018.
Catherine the Great is chosen by Dame Barbara Stocking. Matthew Parris presents.
Published on Tuesday, 29th May 2018.
Hedy Lamarr, actress, inventor, and the most beautiful woman in the world.
Published on Tuesday, 22nd May 2018.
Soul singer Mica Paris tells Matthew Parris why Josephine Baker is her heroine.
Published on Tuesday, 15th May 2018.
Matthew Parris meets the actor Simon Callow to discuss the life of Orson Welles.
Published on Wednesday, 9th May 2018.
Ayesha Hazarika champions her hero Jayaben Desai who led the Grunwick strike in 1976.
Published on Wednesday, 2nd May 2018.
Tej Lalvani nominates the physicist and bongo playing Richard Feynman as his great life.
Published on Tuesday, 1st May 2018.
Laura Serrant chooses the poet and activist Audre Lorde. From 2018.
Published on Thursday, 26th April 2018.
Miles Davis chosen by Adrian Utley of Portishead.
Published on Tuesday, 17th April 2018.
Jim Moir, aka Vic Reeves, chooses the life of Don van Vliet - Captain Beefheart.
Published on Tuesday, 3rd April 2018.
Gisela Stuart nominates Joseph Chamberlain as her great life.
Published on Thursday, 25th January 2018.
Liza Tarbuck nominates Nikola Tesla as her great life. Matthew Parris presents.
Published on Tuesday, 23rd January 2018.
Herodotus - father of history or father of lies? Matthew Parris presents.
Published on Tuesday, 16th January 2018.
Helen Arney, scientist and geek songstress, nominates pioneer physicist Hertha Ayrton.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd January 2018.
Nazir Afzal chooses Mahatma Gandhi as his great life.
Louise Richardson nominates Daniel O'Connell, hero of Catholic emancipation in 1829.
Published on Tuesday, 19th December 2017.
Marcel Duchamp, father of conceptual art, is fellow artist Cornelia Parker's great life.
Published on Tuesday, 12th December 2017.
Goldfrapp's Will Gregory takes the stage to nominate Irish writer Flann O'Brien.
Published on Tuesday, 5th December 2017.
City boss Helena Morrissey champions the life of Rachael Heyhoe Flint as her great life.
Published on Tuesday, 26th September 2017.
Constance Markievicz, Irish rebel countess and the first woman elected to Parliament.
Published on Tuesday, 19th September 2017.
Muhammad Ali is economist Nicholas Stern's great life as he tells Matthew Parris.
Published on Tuesday, 12th September 2017.
British spacewoman Helen Sharman chooses scientist Elsie Widdowson as her great life.
Published on Tuesday, 5th September 2017.
Novelist Tracy Chevalier chooses the fossil hunter Mary Anning as her great life.
Published on Tuesday, 29th August 2017.
Don McCullin chooses his old travel companion Norman Lewis for Great Lives.
Published on Tuesday, 22nd August 2017.
Maxine Peake nominates her working class hero the MP Ellen Wilkinson as her great life.
Published on Wednesday, 9th August 2017.
Stephen Fry nominates his hero, PG Wodehouse, who just simply cheers him up.
Published on Tuesday, 8th August 2017.
Peter Williams of Jack Wills champions the abrasive Steve Jobs, founder of Apple.
Published on Thursday, 1st June 2017.
Cult legend Andy Kaufman chosen by Iain Lee as his great life.
Published on Tuesday, 30th May 2017.
Twice queen of England and mother of two kings, but have you heard of Emma of Normandy?
Published on Tuesday, 16th May 2017.
Steven Knight, creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’, nominates Sitting Bull.
Published on Tuesday, 9th May 2017.
Peaches Golding OBE, nominates African American politician Shirley Chisholm.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd May 2017.
Anton Du Beke chooses the golfer Arnold Palmer to discuss with Matthew Parris.
Published on Tuesday, 25th April 2017.
The Albanian opera singer Ermonela Jaho chooses the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Published on Thursday, 20th April 2017.
Germaine Greer nominates sculptor Dame Elizabeth Frink. Presented by Matthew Parris.
Published on Tuesday, 11th April 2017.
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet chooses architect-designer, Edward William Godwin.
Published on Tuesday, 4th April 2017.
Chris Patten nominates Pope John XXIII. With Professor Eamon Duffy and Matthew Parris.
Published on Tuesday, 24th January 2017.
Len Goodman champions Lionel Bart, the man who created the musical Oliver, as his hero.
Published on Tuesday, 17th January 2017.
One of the UK's leading choreographers nominates the Indian mathematician Ramanujan.
Published on Tuesday, 10th January 2017.
CS Lewis, author of the Narnia Chronicles, chosen by historian Suzannah Lipscomb.
Published on Tuesday, 3rd January 2017.
Ruth Holdaway picks the sports broadcaster Helen Rollason as her great life.
Matthew Parris invites Orlando Murrin to discuss the life of Romanian pianist Dinu Lipatti
Published on Tuesday, 20th December 2016.
Sir Ben Kingsley champions the life of holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel as his great life.
Published on Wednesday, 14th December 2016.
Lucy Porter, the comedian and writer, champions Cary Grant as her Great Life
Published on Friday, 2nd December 2016.
Cyrus Todiwala picks Dadabhai Naoroji who in 1892 became Britain's first Asian MP.
Published on Tuesday, 27th September 2016.
AA Gill nominates Arthur Neville Chamberlain as his great life.
Published on Tuesday, 20th September 2016.
Eliza Carthy chooses Caroline Norton who campaigned for women in the 19th-century.
Published on Tuesday, 13th September 2016.
Maureen Lipman champions the life of hospice campaigner Dame Cicely Saunders.
Published on Wednesday, 7th September 2016.
The life of the creator of nonviolent communication Marshall Rosenber, with Matthew Parris
Published on Tuesday, 30th August 2016.
Matthew Parris on the life and death of Dag Hammarskjold
Published on Friday, 26th August 2016.
Sara Pascoe champions Virginia Woolf, author of 'Mrs Dalloway' and 'A Room of One's Own'.
Published on Tuesday, 16th August 2016.
Alex Salmond chooses Thomas Muir, whom he describes as the father of Scottish democracy.
Published on Tuesday, 9th August 2016.
The life of Dame Gracie Fields is championed by Hilary Devey. From 2016.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd August 2016.
Frank Turner chooses Joseph Grimaldi who changed the face of Clowning forever.
Published on Tuesday, 31st May 2016.
George Fox, founder of the Quakers, nominated by Ann Limb
Published on Tuesday, 24th May 2016.
Cancer pioneer Gordon Hamilton-Fairley, killed by an IRA bomb when he was just 45.
Published on Tuesday, 17th May 2016.
Timmy Mallett chooses Richard the Lionheart. With Helen Castor and Matthew Parris.
Published on Monday, 16th May 2016.
Lt-Gen Sir Graeme Lamb champions wartime spy Christine Granville. Matthew Parris chairs
Published on Tuesday, 3rd May 2016.
Playwright and actress Sudha Bhuchar nominates the life of actor Zohra Sehgal.
Published on Tuesday, 26th April 2016.
Comedian Ray Peacock nominates the controversial life of Lenny Bruce.
Published on Thursday, 21st April 2016.
Nancy Dell'Olio champions the much maligned Lucrezia Borgia.
Anthony Horowitz champions the life of Alfred Hitchcock.
Published on Thursday, 7th April 2016.
Eliza Manningham-Buller on why she regards Abraham Lincoln as a great life.
Published on Tuesday, 26th January 2016.
Nitin Sawhney champions the life of American singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley
Published on Wednesday, 20th January 2016.
Matthew Parris hears from Susan Calman who has chosen the life of Molly Weir to discuss
Published on Wednesday, 13th January 2016.
Martin Jennings nominates the British sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger.
Published on Tuesday, 5th January 2016.
Matthew Parris explores the remarkable life of Professor Wangari Maathai.
Published on Monday, 4th January 2016.
Matthew Parris meets financial guru Alvin Hall, whose hero is James Baldwin.
Published on Tuesday, 22nd December 2015.
Fashion designer Roger Saul chooses garden designer Gertrude Jekyll
Published on Wednesday, 16th December 2015.
Dickie Bird champions his hero Sir Leonard Hutton.
Published on Tuesday, 8th December 2015.
Toyah Willcox nominates her hero Katharine Hepburn who she met and worked with.
Published on Tuesday, 29th September 2015.
Nick Stadlen champions the life of the Afrikaner Revolutionary Bram Fischer.
Published on Tuesday, 22nd September 2015.
Hannah Rothschild looks back at the life of jazz musician Thelonious Monk.
Published on Tuesday, 15th September 2015.
The author Monica Ali champions the life of the explorer Richard Francis Burton.
Published on Tuesday, 1st September 2015.
Ade Adepitan champions the life of George Washington Williams.
Published on Tuesday, 25th August 2015.
Michael Howard, Conservative Party former leader, tells Matthew Parris about Elizabeth I.
Published on Wednesday, 19th August 2015.
Economist Vicky Pryce nominates the Greek film star and politician Melina Mercouri.
Published on Tuesday, 11th August 2015.
Sir Ian McKellen nominates mountaineer Edmund Hillary as his inspirational figure.
Published on Tuesday, 4th August 2015.
Matthew Parris talks to crime writer Val McDermid about the life of PD James
Published on Tuesday, 2nd June 2015.
Matthew Parris hears from David Blunkett about the life of Louis Braille. From 2015.
Published on Thursday, 28th May 2015.
Matthew Parris meets US Ambassador Matthew Barzun to talk about his wartime predecessor.
Published on Tuesday, 19th May 2015.
Marlon Brando - greatest actor of the twentieth century?
Published on Tuesday, 12th May 2015.
Matthew Parris talks to Wendy Cope about her poetic hero John Clare. From 2015.
Published on Tuesday, 5th May 2015.
Matthew Parris talks to the National Trust's Dame Helen Ghosh about James Lees-Milne.
Published on Tuesday, 28th April 2015.
Comedian and actor Kulvinder Ghir nominates the life of the artist Zoran Music.
Published on Tuesday, 21st April 2015.
Rachel Johnson author and journalist champions the life of Ottoline Morrell.
Published on Tuesday, 14th April 2015.
The veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald chooses the life of Learie Constantine
Published on Tuesday, 7th April 2015.
Mervyn King champions the life of the former Prime Minister of Finland Risto Ryti.
Published on Tuesday, 27th January 2015.
Journalist Eve Pollard explores Hollywood screenwriter Nora Ephron with Matthew Parris.
Published on Monday, 26th January 2015.
Michael Dobbs looks back at the life of Cambridge spy Guy Burgess.
Published on Tuesday, 13th January 2015.
Matthew Parris talks to Philippa Langley about the life of Richard III.
Published on Tuesday, 6th January 2015.
Professor Tom Solomon talks about his former patient, writer Roald Dahl.
Published on Tuesday, 30th December 2014.
Brian Eno champions the life and work of social reformer Michael Young.
Published on Tuesday, 23rd December 2014.
Laura Bates tells Matthew Parris why Louisa May Alcott of "Little Women" is her Great Life
Published on Tuesday, 16th December 2014.
Comedian Arthur Smith tells Matthew Parris about the life of Olympic runner Emil Zátopek.
Published on Tuesday, 9th December 2014.
Matthew Parris invites Professor Edith Hall to nominate her idol.
Published on Thursday, 2nd October 2014.
Lord Adonis chooses Victorian engineer, aka 'The Sewer King', Sir Joseph Bazalgette
Dame Stella Rimington explains to Matthew Parris why Dorothy L Sayers fascinates her.
Published on Wednesday, 10th September 2014.
Matthew Parris invites singer songwriter Labi Siffre to nominate his choice of life.
Published on Tuesday, 9th September 2014.
Dr Tom Shakespeare tells Matthew Parris why Antonio Gramsci's is a Great Life.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd September 2014.
Ray Mears champions the life of Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel.
Published on Tuesday, 26th August 2014.
Ida B. Wells the African American civil rights activist is chosen by Baroness Oona King
Published on Tuesday, 19th August 2014.
Soul II Soul's Jazzie B chooses the life of musician and singer James Brown.
Published on Tuesday, 12th August 2014.
Writer Jonathan Meades nominates the English artist Edward Burra.
Published on Tuesday, 5th August 2014.
Monty Python's Michael Palin chooses the American writer, Ernest Hemingway.
Published on Tuesday, 27th May 2014.
John Craven proposes Victorian Engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as a great life.
Published on Tuesday, 13th May 2014.
Isy Suttie chooses Yorkshire-born singer songwriter Jake Thackray
Published on Tuesday, 6th May 2014.
Soprano Emma Kirkby discusses the life of composer Henry Purcell with Matthew Parris
The author Deborah Moggach talks about the life of Potteries writer Arnold Bennett.
Published on Tuesday, 29th April 2014.
Blind Argentinian writer Borges is championed by Marcus de Sautoy.
Published on Tuesday, 22nd April 2014.
Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, is championed by Sir Mark Walport.
Published on Tuesday, 15th April 2014.
Poet Simon Armitage nominates Joy Division singer Ian Curtis.
Published on Wednesday, 9th April 2014.
Sarah Vine chooses Dante, author of the Italian literary masterpiece the Divine Comedy
Published on Tuesday, 8th April 2014.
The English Cellist Jacqueline Du Pre is championed by solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
Published on Tuesday, 1st April 2014.
Sara Cox nominates the American hip hop artist and rapper Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.
Published on Tuesday, 28th January 2014.
Businessman Mark Constantine champions the life of Kahlil Gibran with Matthew Parris.
Published on Thursday, 23rd January 2014.
Novelist, Meg Rosoff explores the life of the Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird
Irish Comic Dave Allen is chosen by actor and comedian Adil Ray. Matthew Parris presents
Published on Tuesday, 14th January 2014.
Writer and comedian David Baddiel explores the life of novelist John Updike.
Published on Wednesday, 8th January 2014.
Architect, Sir David Chipperfield, chooses Le Corbusier
Published on Tuesday, 31st December 2013.
Michael Horovitz nominates fellow poet Allen Ginsberg as his Great Life.
Published on Tuesday, 17th December 2013.
Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.
Published on Tuesday, 10th December 2013.
Joanna Macgregor nominates the chanteuse and civil rights activist Nina Simone.
Published on Wednesday, 27th November 2013.
Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford, author of Love in a Cold Climate. From 2013.
Published on Wednesday, 2nd October 2013.
Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.
Published on Tuesday, 1st October 2013.
Matthew Parris is joined by Sir Brendan Barber who chooses John Steinbeck as a Great Life.
Published on Tuesday, 24th September 2013.
TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.
Published on Tuesday, 17th September 2013.
Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.
Published on Tuesday, 10th September 2013.
Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.
Published on Tuesday, 3rd September 2013.
The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.
Published on Tuesday, 27th August 2013.
Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.
Published on Tuesday, 20th August 2013.
Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti
Published on Tuesday, 13th August 2013.
Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.
Published on Tuesday, 6th August 2013.
Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.
Published on Wednesday, 5th June 2013.
Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.
Published on Tuesday, 21st May 2013.
John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.
Published on Tuesday, 14th May 2013.
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.
Published on Tuesday, 7th May 2013.
Gyles Brandreth praises the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Published on Tuesday, 30th April 2013.
John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
Published on Tuesday, 23rd April 2013.
Chris Tarrant chooses one of the great pioneers of modern radio - Kenny Everett.
Published on Tuesday, 16th April 2013.
Bobby Friction champions the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
Published on Tuesday, 9th April 2013.
Peter Hitchens nominates George Bell, who condemned the bombing of Germany.
Published on Tuesday, 2nd April 2013.
Gardener Carol Klein's choice is wild garden hero, William Robinson. With Matthew Parris.
Published on Tuesday, 29th January 2013.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.
Published on Tuesday, 15th January 2013.
Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.
Published on Tuesday, 8th January 2013.
Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?
Published on Tuesday, 1st January 2013.
Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Published on Tuesday, 25th December 2012.
Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.
Published on Tuesday, 11th December 2012.
Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.
Published on Tuesday, 4th December 2012.
Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.
Published on Friday, 28th September 2012.
Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.
Published on Tuesday, 25th September 2012.
Film-maker Stephen Frears champions his mentor, Karel Reisz.
Published on Tuesday, 11th September 2012.
Comedian and performer Ken Dodd explains how Stan Laurel inspired him to go into comedy.
Published on Tuesday, 4th September 2012.
Matthew Parris and his guest Natalie Haynes encounter the Latin poet Juvenal.
Published on Wednesday, 29th August 2012.
Matthew Parris in conversation with actor Bill Paterson about Leonard Maguire.
Published on Tuesday, 21st August 2012.
Conservative politician, author and adventurer Rory Stewart chooses Sir Walter Scott.
Published on Tuesday, 14th August 2012.
Josephine Bonaparte, first empress of France, chosen by Janine di Giovanni.
Published on Tuesday, 7th August 2012.