Mary Kingsley

Journalist Ann Leslie chooses the pioneering writer and explorer Mary Kingsley.

• 30 mins

Tchaikovsky

Economist Ruth Lea chooses the great Russian composer. Stephen Johnson adds his expertise.

• 30 mins

Tom Paine

Writer and political activist George Monbiot chooses 18th-century revolutionary Tom Paine.

• 30 mins

Benjamin Disraeli

Kenneth Clarke chooses the Victorian politician, Benjamin Disraeli.

• 30 mins

Joseph Banks

Scientist Lord Robert May nominates the naturalist and botanist, Joseph Banks.

• 30 mins

Gilbert and Sullivan

Dillie Keane chooses the musical duo Gilbert and Sullivan.

• 30 mins

Robert FitzRoy

Baroness Margaret Jay chooses pioneering meteorologist Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy.

• 30 mins

Vivien Leigh

Barrister Christina Gorna chooses Oscar-winning Vivien Leigh.

• 30 mins

Leonard Woolf

4 Extra Debut. Jilly Goolden nominates writer and political thinker Leonard Woolf.

• 30 mins

Burt Lancaster

Broadcaster Gerry Anderson chooses Hollywood legend, Burt Lancaster.

• 30 mins

Marvin Gaye

Innovative soul singer Marvin Gaye is the choice of historian and broadcaster Tim Marlow.

• 30 mins

Sir Edward Elgar

Charity founder Marjorie Wallace chooses composer Edward Elgar.

• 30 mins

Michael Collins

Film producer Lord Puttnam chooses the Irish nationalist leader Michael Collins.

• 30 mins

Captain Henry Morgan

Writer and photographer Lucinda Lambton chooses the supposed pirate captain.

• 30 mins

George Sand

Mary Kenny nominates the 19th-century French novelist.

• 30 mins

Charles M Schulz

Valerie Grove selects Charles M Schulz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip.

• 30 mins

Robert Louis Stevenson

Poet Douglas Dunn nominates Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Treasure Island.

• 30 mins

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Francine Stock presents the biographical details of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's great life.

• 30 mins

John D Rockefeller

Martin Smith, the Chairman of English National Opera proposes John D Rockefeller.

• 30 mins

Elizabeth Gaskell

Amanda Vickery and Jenny Uglow discuss the life of the Elizabeth Gaskell.

• 30 mins

Ronald Reagan

Lord Powell nominates Ronald Reagan for great life status.

• 30 mins

Ronald Reagan

Lord Powell nominates former US President Ronald Reagan.

• 30 mins

Duke of Wellington

Francine Stock presents a discussion about the first Duke of Wellington.

• 30 mins

Mae West

Writer Kathy Lette proposes the blondest bombshell of them all, Mae West.

• 30 mins

R D Laing

Francine Stock presents a discussion about the Glaswegian psychiatrist R D Laing.

• 30 mins

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Composer Howard Goodall champions the composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

• 30 mins

Vasily Grossman

Francine Stock presents a discussion about the Soviet writer Vasily Grossman.

• 30 mins

Zhao Ziyang

Robert Thomson maps the rise and fall of the reforming Chinese premier Zhao Ziyang.

• 30 mins

Thomas Cromwell

Historian and author Derek Wilson proposes 16th century politician Thomas Cromwell.

• 30 mins

Beatrix Potter

Fiona Reynolds, former director of the National Trust, chooses writer Beatrix Potter

• 30 mins