麻豆社

For two decades, Great Lives on 麻豆社 Radio 4 and 4 Extra has explored what it takes to change the world.

But Helen Lewis wants to ask a different question:

What does it take to live with someone who changes the world?

Behind the history of genius lies a second, hidden history: the stories of people who give geniuses the time they need to flourish.

This series explores the many "supporting roles" needed to sustain an apparently "singular" genius.

Helen concludes the series by exploring the myth of the solitary genius as we meet Alma Mahler, discover Charles Darwin's "pros and cons" list on the subject of taking a wife and unpick the influential work of the psychologist Hans Eysenck.

Written by Helen Lewis with additional voices from Joshua Higgott

Producer: Richard Morris

Production Coordinator: Sarah Nicholls

Sound Design: Chris Maclean

A 麻豆社 Studios production for 麻豆社 Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2021.

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