Before They Were Famous 

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Before They Were Famous

Comedy: Spoof

Comedy. Ian Leslie uncovers the first literary attempts of the world's best-known writers

Comedy. Ian Leslie presents the spoof documentary series that brings to light the often surprising first literary attempts of the world's best-known writers

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Ian Leslie

Claire Broughton

Before They Were Famous: Series 3: Episode 2

Episode 2

Series 3

BBC Radio 4 - Before They Were Famous, Series 3, Episode 2

Featuring a valuable insight into the origins of Henry Longfellow's poetic success.

Ian Leslie unearths the often surprising first literary attempts of the likes of Henry Longfellow and Mary Shelley. From May 2015.

Ian Leslie presents the show that brings to light the often surprising, first literary attempts of the world's best known writers. 

In this episode, we get a valuable insight into the origins of Henry Longfellow's poetic success - in the guise of a letter of complaint to a boiler repair company. 

We also hear the troubled, adolescent Mary Shelley craft disturbing notes to accompany floral tributes, marvel at the deliciously spooky auction catalogue copy written by MR James, and hear a slightly disturbing Christmas cracker joke by Fredrik Ibsen.

Producer: Claire Broughton

A Hat Trick production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in May 2015.

Before They Were Famous: Series 3

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