Biography

31 Episodes

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Gandhi 4: Father of the Nation

2017-04-1326:59

When British India collapses, India embraces it’s state of free rule, but it isn’t the outcome Gandhi had campaigned for. Religious rivalries and disagreements lead to a split between Muslim and Hindi, dividing the territory in two. Guest: Dr Thomas Weber (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

Gandhi 3: Shaking the Foundations

2017-03-2422:43

The salt march is the most iconic event from Gandhi's campaign of non-violent resistance. In 1930 Gandhi and his followers began a month-long march to the coast where he made salt, defiantly breaking a British law related to the taxation of salt production. Explaining his choice, Gandhi said that "Next to air and water, salt is perhaps the greatest necessity of life." Guest: Dr Thomas Weber (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

Gandhi 2: Hate the Sin, Not the Sinner

2017-03-0322:32

Gandhi is a figure who is known across the world as the father of the nation, the man who achieved independence in the Indian subcontinent through non-violent resistance. He was also a thinker and a philosopher, and the name he was given, ‘Mahatma’, means great soul, and reflects the reverence with which he was seen. Guest: Dr Thomas Weber (Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

Gandhi 1: A Good Seed is Sown

2017-02-1025:09

Themistocles 3: Persuasion and Compulsion

2016-12-1124:09

With his victory at Salamis, Themistocles is now the hero of the Hellenic world. he's recognised and lauded across the lands, but with this power comes jealousy and competition. The hero of Athens will have to turn to its greatest enemy for sanctuary. Guest: Professor Christopher Mackie (Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University)

Themistocles 2: Indubitable Signs of Genius

2016-12-0121:51

Themistocles has established himself as a respected politician within ancient Athens, but he isn't without rivalry. He has political enemies from within who hope to bring him down, and there's always the threat of Persia, readying itself to take on the Hellenic states. Guest: Professor Christopher Mackie (Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University)

Themistocles 1: Great Light of the Greeks

2016-11-2225:21

Themistocles lived during a time of change and progress in Athens. The monarchy was coming to an end, the republic was on the rise, and a self-made man from modest beginnings can make crucial contributions to an entire civilisation. Guest: Professor Christopher Mackie (Ancient Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University)

Ely S. Parker

2016-10-1925:07

Ely S. Parker was born to a prominent Seneca family on an Indian reservation near New York, and to many was considered a man between two worlds. Working first as a tribal diplomat, and later forming a close friendship with Ulysses S. Grant during the civil war, he came to be the first Native American to hold the position of Head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Guest: Dr Claudia Haake (History, La Trobe University).

Frida Kahlo 2: Acid and Tender

2016-09-0721:28

Frida attains fame within her lifetime, and her relationship with Diego Rivera remains passionate and explosive. Since she died her fame has attained new heights, as people see the part of Frida they want to see - she now belongs to the world. Guest: Emeritus Professor Barry Carr (History, La Trobe University).

Frida Kahlo 1: A Ribbon Around a Bomb

2016-08-3025:51

Frida Kahlo is considered one of Mexico's greatest artists but spent most of her career working in the shadow of her husband, the larger than life artist and muralist Diego Rivera. After a bus accident left her injured for life she took up painting, and became known for her surreal artwork and self-portraits which show a conflicted artist. Guest: Emeritus Professor Barry Carr (History, La Trobe University).

Douglas Mawson 3: Flaws in the Ice

2016-07-0626:08

Douglas Mawson expedition across the ice has been met with tragedy. One of his men has fallen down a crevice and died, and with him the majority of the food stores and the good sleigh dogs. He and Mertz have little option but to turn back and try to make their way to the base. But the weather is against them, and they don't have enough food to make back. Guest: Dr David Day (Historian and Emeritus of La Trobe University). Books: Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson (Scribe, 2013) Antarctica: A Biography (Oxford, 2012)

Douglas Mawson 2: The Home of the Blizzard

2016-06-2929:27

Douglas Mawson has returned from the Shackleton Expedition in Antarctica, but he soon gets the urge to go back to the ice. He journeys to England to raise money for his own Antarctic mission - a scientific endeavour with the primary aim to discover new territory. Guest: Dr David Day (Historian and Emeritus of La Trobe University). Books: Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson (Scribe, 2013) Antarctica: A Biography (Oxford, 2012)

Douglas Mawson 1: The Pole Hunters

2016-06-2221:43

Douglas Mawson is one of the great explorers of Antarctica, and regarded as a hero in Australia. His first journey to the frozen continent was as a member of the Shackleton expedition, and he was given the task of finding the magnetic south pole. Guest: Dr David Day (Historian and Emeritus of La Trobe University). Books: Flaws in the Ice: In search of Douglas Mawson (Scribe, 2013) Antarctica: A Biography (Oxford, 2012)

Confucius 2: The Master Says

2016-05-1720:24

After his death, the teachings that are attributed to Confucius take on a life on their own. We now look at the philosophy of Confucius, the trouble with interpreting his teachings, and what Confucianism means in today's world. Guest: Professor John Makeham (Director, China Studies Research Centre, La Trobe University).

Confucius 1: The Man Who Moves the Mountain

2016-05-0222:18

A philosopher, teacher, and political thinker, Confucius lived 2500 years ago, in the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. While his teachings and thinking has travelled worldwide, it is a hard task to separate the man from the myth. Guest: Professor John Makeham (Director, China Studies Research Centre, La Trobe University).

Catherine the Great 4: Without you, Felitsa

2016-04-1919:04

By the end of her reign there was little doubt that Catherine had earned the 'Great' which was attached to her name. But what did Russia make of the empire she had built, and why is she most notably remembered for her sexual promiscuity? Guest: Associate Professor Adrian Jones (History, La Trobe University)

Catherine the Great 3: The Warrior Empress

2016-04-0528:44

Catherine the Great took control of Russia, tried to make it a better place, and made sure the rest of the world couldn't ignore it's greatness. Guest: Associate Professor Adrian Jones (History, La Trobe University)

Catherine the Great 2: Patron and Collector

2016-03-2220:30

Catherine the Great is well known for being a patron for a range of artists and intellectuals. Her art collection, now housed in the Hermitage in St Petersburg, is one of the most varied and valuable in the world. Guest: Laurie Benson (Curator, National Gallery of Victoria)

Catherine the Great 1: Rise of a German Princess

2016-03-0724:37

Catherine the Great is one of Russia's most respected rulers, seen as raising Russia's reputation and building a powerful, cultured empire to rival Europe. It's almost hard to imagine that she was a little-known German princess, put into place by an elaborate power play. Guest: Associate Professor Adrian Jones (History, La Trobe University)

Vida Goldstein

2016-02-2130:40

Vida Goldstein was a political activist in Australia, helping Australian women win the right to vote twenty years before Britain. Through tireless campaigning and rallying, she changed the perception of women in politics, and was held up as an example of what could be achieved for women around the world. Guest: Associate Professor Clare Wright (History, La Trobe University)

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