Podcast Episodes

Robinson Crusoe

Was Robinson Crusoe real? According to the book it was 'written by himself'.

To establish the facts, Matthew Parris is joined by two notable desert is…

6 years, 9 months ago

Ed Balls nominates Herbert Howells

Former Member of Parliament Ed Balls chooses the 20th-century English composer, organist and teacher, Herbert Howells.

With the biographer of Herbert…

6 years, 9 months ago

Kamila Shamsie chooses Asma Jahangir

Kamila Shamsie champions the life of the Pakistani human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir.

Author of award-winning novel 'Home Fire', Kamila says she was …

7 years ago

Shirley Collins on Alan Lomax

The prolific and most significant of American song-hunters - Alan Lomax - is the choice of English folk singer Shirley Collins.

She's joined by singe…

7 years ago

Jeremy Deller on The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein

Turner Prize Winner Jeremy Deller believes the music entrepreneur and The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, has never been properly credited for his ro…

7 years ago

Caroline Criado-Perez on Jane Austen

In 2013, Caroline Criado-Perez successfully campaigned for a woman to be featured on a banknote.

The Bank of England chose Jane Austen.

Caroline join…

7 years ago

Kirill Gerstein on Ferruccio Busoni

Pianist Kirill Gerstein chooses the conductor and composer Ferruccio Busoni. Matthew Parris presents.

When Busoni died in Berlin in 1924, his pupil Ku…

7 years, 1 month ago

Malcolm Lowry, nominated by Ian McMillan

Matthew Parris meets the poet Ian McMillan to find out about the life of his literary hero Malcolm Lowry.

Ian first discovered this 20th century writ…

7 years, 1 month ago

Catherine de Medici nominated by Helen Lewis

Journalist Helen Lewis rehabilitates the reputation of the ‘Black Queen’ of France, Catherine de Medici.

Helen and presenter Matthew Parris are joine…

7 years, 1 month ago

Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, chosen by Tom Holland

She's the most influential woman that English history forgot, says Tom Holland - Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, daughter of Alfred the Great.

Liv…

7 years, 1 month ago