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The comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar. Read more
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Comedian Sindhu Vee on Prince
The comedian Sindhu Vee nominates Prince, the musical superstar.
Constance Agatha Cummings-John
Author Chibundu Onuzo on the first elected female in Africa, Constance Cummings-John.
Just William / Richmal Crompton proposed by Peter Oborne with Martin Jarvis
William Brown, star of the Just William books, proposed by Peter Oborne.
Lee Miller, war photographer and model
Lindsey Hilsum on the extraordinary life of Lee Miller.
Jeremy Paxman nominates Lord Shaftesbury
Jeremy Paxman nominates the Victorian social reformer Lord Shaftesbury.
Novelist Enid Blyton
How can Enid Blyton not be a great life?
Bill Bailey on his hero Alfred Russel Wallace
Bill Bailey and his love for Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace
Charlie Parker nominated by Ken Clarke
Charlie Parker - Bird - proposed by Ken Clarke
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut on Kurt Vonnegut, with a little help from Josie Long
Andi Oliver on Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Andi Oliver chooses the Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison
Rick Stein on Jim Morrison
Chef, writer and presenter Rick Stein nominates Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors.
Frank Cottrell Boyce on Tove Jansson
Frank Cottrell-Boyce on Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins.
Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables
Earthsea author Ursula le Guin
Maya Angelou
Professor Olivette Otele chooses author Maya Angelou.
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood, creator of Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques and As Seen on TV
Sally Phillips on Hollywood star Myrna Loy
Sally Phillips nominates her comedy star, Myrna Loy
Billy Bremner of Leeds United
Anand Menon chooses Leeds United captain, Billy Bremner.
Sybille Bedford, author of Jigsaw and A Legacy
Sara Wheeler nominates her literary hero, Sybille Bedford.
Dolly Alderton on Doris Day
Doris Day is the choice of Dolly Alderton, author, podcaster and columnist.
Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, founder of fascism and ruler of Italy 1922-1943
Frida Kahlo nominated by author Jessie Burton
Artist Frida Kahlo is nominated by Jessie Burton. With Circe Henestrosa.
Peter Frankopan on Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
The best-selling historian Peter Frankopan nominates Russia's "father of space travel"
Jessie Ware on Donna Summer
The singer and podcaster, Jessie Ware, chooses the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer.
Ernie Bevin, forgotten political giant
s O'Grady nominates Ernie Bevin
Tom Allen on Kenneth Williams
Comedian Tom Allen chooses the entertainer Kenneth Williams.
Sir David Adjaye on Okwui Enwezor
Curator and educator Okwui Enwezor championed by the architect Sir David Adjaye.
James Graham on John Maynard Keynes
The acclaimed playwright tells Matthew Parris why he's inspired by Keynes' life and work.
Xuanzang, Chinese monk and traveller
Michael Wood on the great Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang.
Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
Who would marry a serial killer? Katherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII
David Spiegelhalter on Frank Ramsey
Statistician David Spiegelhalter champions the short, brilliant life of Frank Ramsey.
The Great Lives of Great Lives
After 450 episodes, Matthew Parris thinks it's time to find out what makes a great life.
