Maya Angelou

04/29/20 • 27 min

4 Listeners

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in 1928. She was a mother, writer, dancer, director, performer, friend of presidents, and author of seven volumes of memoir. The very first - I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - returned to the top of the best-seller lists when she died in 2014. So why were people fascinated by her life? Nominating her is Bristol University's recently appointed professor of slavery, Olivette Otele. "I l love her, I really do." She's joined by Patricia Cumper who has adapted many of Maya Angelou's books for radio. The presenter is Matthew Parris. The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde

Previous Episode

Ursula Le Guin nominated by Kate Stables

Ursula le Guin was born in California in 1929. Her books - including A Wizard of Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness - have been described as masterpieces but she battled prejudice all her life from the literary elite. Choosing her because she loves both Ursula's books and who she was is the British musician Kate Stables. She's speaking to Matthew Parris from Paris. On the line from San Francisco is Arwen Curry - she knew the author and made the film The Worlds of Ursula K Le Guin with the strapline, A Wizard's Work is Never Done.

The producers in Bristol are Toby Field and Miles Warde

Next Episode

Victoria Wood

Actor and comedian Daniel Rigby chooses the creator of Acorn Antiques, As Seen on TV and Dinnerladies, Victoria Wood.

Victoria grew up in a bungalow high up on the moors in Lancashire. The rooms were partitioned off with plywood, and she loved to play the piano on her own.

She became the biggest comedy star in the UK, writing, directing, acting, and winning BAFTAS for being funny, and being serious too.

Nominating the star of Wood and Walters, Dinnerladies and Housewife, 49 is Daniel Rigby.

Daniel won a BAFTA playing Eric Morecambe in 2011, with Victoria Wood as his mum. She also became his landlady.

Joining the often joyful discussion is Jasper Rees - author of the authorised biography of Victoria Wood.

Presenter: Matthew Parris

Producer: Miles Warde

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2020.