Great Lives

Fast Show comedian Simon Day tells Matthew Parris why he's fascinated by the life of German author Hans Fallada. Matthew is also joined by Fallada's biographer Jenny Williams.

Restaurateur Antonio Carluccio nominates his friend the sculptor and forefather of Pop Art Eduardo Paolozzi as a Great Life. Joining Antonio and presenter Matthew Parris in the studio is cultural historian Sir Christopher Frayling.

Broadcaster Janice Long tells Matthew Parris why her friend singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl led a "great life" despite her tragically early death in a boating accident in 2000.

Graham Greene, author of Brighton Rock and The Third Man, proposed by Tim Butcher. Matthew Parris presents and David Pearce battles bravely to defend the reputation of a writer who played Russian Roulette when bored.

Playwright Harold Pinter is chosen by Diane Abbott MP. With expert assistance from the critic and biographer Michael Billington and presented by Matthew Parris.

Jack Johnson, the Galveston Giant, was the first African American heavyweight champion of the world. Chosen by Matthew Syed both for his boxing skills and for what he came to represent. Matthew Parris presents.

Matthew Parris presents the biographical series in which his guests choose someone who's inspired their lives. Green MP Caroline Lucas nominates German Green politician Petra Kelly.

Matthew Parris and writer Lynne Truss discuss the life of author Lewis Carroll. Famous for the Alice books, Carroll was also a brilliant mathematician and early photographer.

Broadcaster Sue MacGregor nominates singer Kathleen Ferrer, who died tragically young. Matthew Parris presents, with the help of Christopher Fifield who edited Ferrier's letters.

Actress Diana Quick tells Matthew Parris why Simone de Beauvoir changed her life after reading "The Second Sex". Lisa Appignanesi is the expert witness.

Leonard Bernstein, composer of West Side Story, was one of the greatest musical figures of the twentieth century. He's chosen by conductor Charles Hazlewood. Presenter Matthew Parris asks Bernstein's colleague and friend, Humphrey Burton, blunt questions about the great man's sexuality.

Sir Clive Sinclair nominates fellow inventor Thomas Edison. Edison invented sound recording, the electric light bulb and moving pictures, but also had his fair share of duds along the way. Sir Clive invented the first electronic calculator but also the ill-fated C5 electric car. Separated by a century, do the two men have anything in common? Joining the discussion is Edison's biographer Neil Baldwin.

Kwame Kwei-Armah chooses Marcus Garvey, the inspirational black leader of the early twentieth century. With biographer Colin Grant and presenter Matthew Parris.

Katharine Whitehorn nominates Mary Stott, the great campaigning journalist and the first editor of the Guardian women's page. Dame Liz Forgan shares her memories of working with Mary, and Matthew Parris presents.

Iraqi-born physicist Jim al-Khalili explores the life of Gertrude Bell, adventurer, archaeologist and arguably the founder of modern Iraq.