George Washington Williams was an incredibly early, mould-breaking, self-made black intellectual who fought in the American civil war and went on to write the first history of African Americans. He met King Leopold of Belgium and exposed that country's treatment of Africans under Belgian colonial rule.Nominating the life of George Washington Williams is television presenter, and former Paralympic medallist, Ade Adepitan. The expert witness is Dr David Brown, Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the University of Manchester. The presenter is Matthew Parris.Producer: Perminder KhatkarFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
FeatureKultur & Gesellschaft
Great Lives Folgen
Biographical series in which guests choose someone who has inspired their lives.
Folgen von Great Lives
413 Folgen
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Folge vom 25.08.2015George Washington Williams
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Folge vom 19.08.2015Michael Howard on Elizabeth IMatthew Parris meets the former leader of the Conservative Party Michael Howard to discuss the life of Elizabeth I of England. They're joined by Professor Paulina Kewes of Jesus College Oxford. Producer: Maggie AyreFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
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Folge vom 11.08.2015Vicky Pryce on Melina MercouriMatthew Parris's guest is Vicky Pryce, the Greek born economist, who attracted media headlines on her conviction over speeding points incurred by her former husband, Chris Huhne. Vicky has chosen the film star turned politician, Melina Mercouri who believed culture to be as important as money or power - if not more so. As Minister for Culture, she promoted Greece's cultural heritage and fought for the return of the Elgin Marbles. Some consider one her greatest achievements to be the founding of the European Capital of Culture. Expert witness is Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and Victoria Solomonidis contributesProducer Maggie AyreFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.
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Folge vom 04.08.2015Ian McKellen on Edmund HillaryOn May 29 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest. Both men immediately became famous worldwide. Actor Sir Ian McKellen, then a young teenager in Burnley, was clearly struck by the achievement. In later life he met Hillary in New Zealand and has strong memories of a modest man whose first job was beekeeping. Hillary also took a tractor to the South Pole in 1958 and became High Commissioner to India in 1985 "I did a good job on Everest," Hillary once said, "but have always known my limitations and I found being classified as a hero slightly embarrassing."Joining Sir Ian McKellen, is the author of Everest 1953, Mick Conefrey. He reveals the epic story of the first ascent, plus discusses Hillary's work with the Himalayan Trust.Presented by Matthew Parris. Producer: Miles WardeFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in August 2015.