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Great Lives Episodes

  1. Today 23:00
    BBC Radio 4

    Jessica Fostekew on Boudica

    Comedian Jessica Fostekew nominates the ancient English warrior queen, Boudica.

  2. Tomorrow 15:00
    BBC Radio 4

    Ruby Tandoh on Brian Jacques author of the Redwall series

    Ruby Tandoh picks the author of the Redwall series, Brian Jacques.

  3. Thursday 10:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Yanis Varoufakis on Hypatia

    The life and brutal death of an ancient world mathematician and philosopher: Hypatia

  4. Thursday 16:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Yanis Varoufakis on Hypatia

    The life and brutal death of an ancient world mathematician and philosopher: Hypatia

  5. Friday 00:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Yanis Varoufakis on Hypatia

    The life and brutal death of an ancient world mathematician and philosopher: Hypatia

  6. Next Sunday 23:00
    BBC Radio 4

    AN Wilson selects Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe picked by writer AN Wilson.

  7. Next Monday 15:00
    BBC Radio 4

    Russell Kane on Iris Murdoch

    Famous guests pick someone they love or admire... or both

  8. Thu 10 Sep 2026 10:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    KT Tunstall on Ivor Cutler

    Singer songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humourist Ivor Cutler

  9. Thu 10 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    KT Tunstall on Ivor Cutler

    Singer songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humourist Ivor Cutler

  10. Fri 11 Sep 2026 00:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    KT Tunstall on Ivor Cutler

    Singer songwriter KT Tunstall nominates Scottish humourist Ivor Cutler

  11. Sun 13 Sep 2026 23:00
    BBC Radio 4

    Ellen E Jones nominates Florynce Kennedy

    Film journalist Ellen E Jones nominates the flamboyant American activist Florynce Kennedy.

  12. Mon 14 Sep 2026 15:00
    BBC Radio 4

    14/09/2026

    Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.

  13. Thu 17 Sep 2026 10:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    William Lever, Lord Leverhulme, founder of Unilever

    The mighty soap manufacturer, William Lever, chosen by the boss of Iceland

  14. Thu 17 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    William Lever, Lord Leverhulme, founder of Unilever

    The mighty soap manufacturer, William Lever, chosen by the boss of Iceland

  15. Fri 18 Sep 2026 00:00
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    William Lever, Lord Leverhulme, founder of Unilever

    The mighty soap manufacturer, William Lever, chosen by the boss of Iceland