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Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Duke Of Westminster

02/07/1995

Duke Of Westminster

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Duke Of Westminster

Sue Lawley's castaway is Gerald Grosvenor, the Duke Of Westminster

Sue Lawley's castaway is Gerald Grosvenor, the Duke Of Westminster.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the sixth Duke of Westminster. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about the responsibilities and pleasures of being one of the country's richest men. Having enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the banks of Loch Ern in County Fermanagh, it was a rude shock to be transplanted to an English prep school at the age of seven. The comparatively early death of his father then meant that by the time he was just 19 he was managing one of Britain's greatest estates, and by 27 he owned it. He'll be discussing the pleasures and the perils of his position, why he is no longer a member of the Conservative Party and his hopes and dreams for his four-year-old son and heir, Hugh.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Favourite track: Albatross by Fleetwood Mac
Book: Through Russian Snows by G A Henty
Luxury: Telescope

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Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Porgy and Bess

The racial politics of George Gershwin's 1935 opera Porgy and Bess.

The politics of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess, the effectiveness of affirmative action and the current trend of conservatism in America are explored by Alistair Cooke.

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