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Great Lives Episodes

  1.

    Harry Enfield on Gerard Hoffnung

    Comedian Harry Enfield chooses the cartoonist, musician and raconteur Gerard Hoffnung.

  2. Alan Freeman picked by Simon Mayo

    Simon Mayo picks his broadcasting hero, Pick of the Pops's Alan 'Fluff' Freeman.

  3. Actor Niamh Cusack on the life of poet Mary Oliver

    Actor Niamh Cusack chooses the American poet Mary Oliver.

  4. Mr Motivator picks Harry Belafonte

    Mr Motivator chooses the King of Calypso, whose hits include Day-O and Jump in the Line.

  5. Jimmy Wales on Thomas Jefferson

    The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, picks the third president of the United States.

  6. Eartha Kitt proposed by Faye Tozer

    Faye Tozer from Steps nominates a singer and dancer with a trademark growl.

  7. John Gray on JG Ballard

    Philosopher John Gray chooses the iconic futuristic writer JG Ballard.

  8. Iszi Lawrence on Diana Barnato Walker

    Iszi Lawrence chooses record-breaking aviator Diana Barnato Walker

  9. Mohammad Mossadegh, PM of Iran ousted in a coup

    Mohammad Mossadegh was toppled in a coup in Iran in 1953.

  10. Burt Lancaster

    Broadcaster Gerry Anderson chooses Hollywood legend, Burt Lancaster.

  11. Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley

    Ken Loach on Gerrard Winstanley.

  12. Chi-chi Nwanoku on Jessye Norman

    Chi-chi Nwanoku picks the global star of opera Jessye Norman.

  13. Lady Eve Balfour

    Lady Eve Balfour was a pioneering organic farmer and founder of the Soil Association.

  14. Ninette de Valois

    鈥楾he Godmother of English ballet鈥�, Dame Ninette De Valois

  15. Ludwig Koch

    Chris Watson on Ludwig Koch

  16. Kate Raworth on Donella Meadows

    Economist Kate Raworth chooses the Environmental Scientist Donella 'Dana' Meadows

  17. Sophie Scott on Hattie Jacques

    Neuroscientist Sophie Scott chooses comedy legend, Hattie Jacques

  18. Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore and London Zoo

    The head of ZSL, Matthew Gould, picks the founder of London Zoo

  19. Susie Dent on Thomas Mann

    Susie Dent chooses the German writer Thomas Mann who wrote 'Death in Venice'.

  20. Tony Benn

    Ellie Gibson picks the Labour politician Tony Benn.

  21. Jake Arnott on John Gay

    The satirist and writer of The Beggar's Opera nominated by Jake Arnott. With Ian Hislop.

  22. Jon Ronson picks Terry Hall of The Specials

    Terry Hall, lead singer of The Specials and Fun Boy Three - includes Lynval Golding

  23. Sir Edward Coke, prosecutor of Guy Fawkes

    Jesse Norman picks lawyer and Parliamentarian Sir Edward Coke.

  24. Kofi Annan

    Gillian Burke chooses the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.

  25. Frank Zappa

    John Robins is obsessed by Frank Zappa - here's why

  26. Matthew Henson, Arctic explorer and pioneer

    Matthew Henson, who may have been the first person ever to set foot on the North Pole.

  27. Frederick the Great of Prussia

    Frederick the Great, the most surprising king of Prussia.

  28. Arthur Ashe

    Broadcaster Qasa Alom picks his hero Arthur Ashe.

  29. Adjoa Andoh on Zora Neale Hurston

    Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh chooses the iconic American writer Zora Neale Hurston

  30. Comedian Chris McCausland on Kurt Cobain

    Kurt Cobain is nominated by comedian Chris McCausland.

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