Great Lives Episodes Episode guide
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Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
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Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
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Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant
Frances O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
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Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
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Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
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Frida Kahlo nominated by author Jessie Burton
Artist Frida Kahlo is nominated by Jessie Burton. With Circe Henestrosa.
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Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943
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Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
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Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
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Billy Bremner of Leeds United
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
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Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
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Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
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Maya Angelou
Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.
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Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables
Musician Kate Stables highlights the fascinating life of author Ursula le Guin.
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Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
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Rick Stein on Jim Morrison
Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
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Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Andi Oliver chooses the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
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Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long
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Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
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Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
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Novelist Enid Blyton
How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?
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Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury
Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.
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Lee Miller, war photographer and model
Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller.
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Just William / Richmal Crompton proposed by Peter Oborne with Martin Jarvis
William Brown, star of the Just William books, proposed by Peter Oborne.
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Constance Agatha Cummings-John
Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.
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Comedian Sindhu Vee on Prince
The comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.
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Fiona Shaw nominates the actress Eleonora Duse
Eleonora Duse, pioneering 19th-century actress, is the choice of Fiona Shaw.
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Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry on the Italian educator Maria Montessori.
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First Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay Macdonald, Labour's first Prime Minister, chosen by Shaun Ley.
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Caroline Quentin nominates Sir John Vanbrugh
Caroline Quentin nominates the 17th century dramatist and architect Sir John Vanbrugh
