George Orwell

Alan Johnson tells Matthew Parris about the impact George Orwell had on his life.

• 30 mins

Edith Wharton

Naomi Wolf nominates Edith Wharton for Great Lives.

• 30 mins

Dick Francis

Martin Broughton nominates Dick Francis, champion jockey and champion author.

• 30 mins

Jean Cocteau

Francesca Simon tells Matthew Parris why Jean Cocteau's is a Great Life.

• 30 mins

Prince Alamayu

Lemn Sissay chooses Prince Alamayu who, like him, was Ethiopian but fostered in Britain.

• 30 mins

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Matthew Parris and Stuart Maconie celebrate the life of Ralph Vaughan Williams.

• 30 mins

Grigori Rasputin

Grigori Rasputin, mad monk or righteous spiritual man ?

• 30 mins

John Stuart Mill

Matthew Parris and Max Mosley celebrate the life of John Stuart Mill.

• 30 mins

Aubrey Beardsley

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his passion for Aubrey Beardsley. Matthew Parris presents.

• 30 mins

Nancy Mitford

Grace Dent loves Nancy Mitford, author of Love in a Cold Climate. From 2013.

• 30 mins

William Robinson

Gardener Carol Klein's choice is wild garden hero, William Robinson. With Matthew Parris.

• 30 mins

George Bell

Peter Hitchens nominates George Bell, who condemned the bombing of Germany.

• 30 mins

Galileo

Bobby Friction champions the Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.

• 30 mins

Kenny Everett

Chris Tarrant chooses one of the great pioneers of modern radio - Kenny Everett.

• 30 mins

David Livingstone

John Blashford-Snell explains why he admires fellow explorer, Dr David Livingstone.

• 30 mins

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Gyles Brandreth praises the life of the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

• 30 mins

Bill Shankly

Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts champions the life of the Liverpool manager Bill Shankly.

• 30 mins

Salvador Dali

John Cooper Clarke nominates Salvador Dali for great life status, melting clocks and all.

• 30 mins

Primo Levi

Edmund de Waal, ceramicist and author chooses Holocaust writer Primo Levi.

• 30 mins

Florence Nightingale

Dr Lucy Worsley, chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, chooses Florence Nightingale.

• 30 mins

Russell Grant on Ivor Novello

Entertainer Russell Grant nominates Welsh composer and film star Ivor Novello.

• 30 mins

Gabriel Gbadamosi on Fela Kuti

Gabriel Gbadamosi chooses as his Great Life the inventor of Afrobeat, musician Fela Kuti

• 30 mins

Tanika Gupta on Rabindranath Tagore

Tanika Gupta nominates Rabindranath Tagore. With Matthew Parris and Ketaki Kushari Dyson.

• 30 mins

Julie Burchill on Ava Gardner

The writer Julie Burchill talks to Matthew Parris about the Hollywood star Ava Gardner.

• 30 mins

Paul Mason on Louise Michel

Paul Mason talks to Matthew Parris about the 19th-century French anarchist, Louise Michel.

• 30 mins

Peter Bowles on George Devine

Matthew Parris is joined by Peter Bowles to discuss the life of director George Devine.

• 30 mins

Konnie Huq on Ada Lovelace

TV presenter Konnie Huq chooses Lord Byron's daughter, the mathematician Ada Lovelace.

• 30 mins

Sir Brendan Barber on John Steinbeck

Sir Brendan Barber champions John Steinbeck.

• 30 mins

Al Murray on Bernard Montgomery

Comedian Al Murray champions the life of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.

• 30 mins

Ricky Ross on Hank Williams

Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue champions songwriter Hank Williams. Matthew Parris presents.

• 30 mins