Your History

Dame Maggie Smith, the acclaimed and award-winning actor known for her sharp wit, keen eye, and extraordinary talent; and Kris Kristofferson, the country music superstar and A-list Hollywood actor.

Peter Jay, a former Times Economics Editor who went on to become Britain’s youngest Ambassador to the US, before returning to the world of journalism as a TV presenter and BBC Correspondent; and Tito Jackson, the older brother of Michael, the “King of Pop”, and an original member of the Jackson 5, the group which helped to pioneer the Motown sound.

James Earl Jones, the multi-award winning actor best-known as the voice of Darth Vader; Alberto Fujimori, former Peruvian President and one of the most controversial figures in post-war Latin American politics; and pioneering Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes, the master of the bossa nova.

Derek Boshier, amongst the first artists to propel British pop art, his work supported by the likes of David Bowie and contemporary David Hockney. And the life of Helen Fisher, one of America’s most prominent anthropologists who's studied the science of romantic love, attachment, adultery, divorce, and the evolution and future of family life.

Three extraordinary lives today: Rowena Jackson, New Zealand’s first prima ballerina; Willi Lemke, the German politician turned football manager; and Michel Siffre, the French geologist who lost track of time after living in a dark cave for 1,500 hours.

Sven-Göran Eriksson managed England's so-called "Golden Generation". And while his success was limited, he brought perspective, respect and a calmness that was before missing. And the life of Virginia Ogilvy, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II.

A special profile of Mike Lynch, one of Britain's most celebrated tech entrepreneurs, who lived for years under investigation by U.S. prosecutors until his acquittal just months ago.

Alain Delon was once dubbed the most beautiful man in the world and modelled himself on being a French James Dean, but his life was full of scandal. He cosied up to criminals in the underworld and the hard right of French politics. Plus, we explore the life of Lieutenant Brian Wilson, who narrowly survived Operation Market Garden - one of the Allied forces worst defeats of WWII.