Main content

The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, Oleg Ivanovsky, Jim Petrie, Dame Julia Polak and Bob Crewe

Julian Worricker remembers the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, scientists Dame Julia Polak and Oleg Ivanovsky, illustrator Jim Petrie and songwriter Bob Crewe.

Julian Worricker on

The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, the last of the Mitford Sisters and a woman credited with turning around the financial fortunes of the Chatsworth Estate.

Oleg Ivanovsky, one of the last remaining rocket scientists who witnessed the complete Soviet space programme from within.

The artist and illustrator, Jim Petrie, who brought us the comic-strip adventures of Minnie the Minx in the Beano.

The scientist, Dame Julia Polak, who - after a heart and lung transplant - embarked on a second career developing laboratory organs.

And the songwriter, Bob Crewe, who composed some of the Four Seasons' biggest hits.

Available now

28 minutes

The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire (pictured)

Last Word spoke to Susan Hill who edited and published one of the Duchess’ books, to Peter Mandler, Professor of Modern Cultural History in Cambridge and to Bridget Flemming who grew up on the Chatsworth Estate.Ìý

Born 31 March 1920; died 24 September 2014 aged 94.

Oleg Ivanovsky

Julian Worricker spoke to Asif Siddiqi, Professor of History Fordham University New York.Ìý

Born 12 January 1922; Ìýdied 18 September 2014 aged 92.

Jim Petrie

The poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan pays tribute.Ìý

Born 2 June 1932; died 26 August 2014 aged 82.

Dame Julia Polak

Julian spoke to her friend Rosemary Friedman who wrote Dame Julia’s biography and to her friend and colleague, Professor Sara Rankin.Ìý

Born 26 June 1939; died 11 August 2014 aged 75.

Ìý

Bob Crewe

Julian spoke to the writer and broadcaster Spencer Leigh and to Bob Gaudio, who co-wrote many of the Four Seasons hits and played keyboard in the band.Ìý

Born 12 November 1930; died 11 September 2014 aged 83.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Julian Worricker
Interviewed Guest Susan Hill
Interviewed Guest Peter Mandler
Interviewed Guest Bridget Flemming
Interviewed Guest Asif Siddiqi
Interviewed Guest Ian McMillan
Interviewed Guest Rosemary Friedman
Interviewed Guest Sarah Ranking
Interviewed Guest Spencer Leigh
Interviewed Guest Bob Gaudio
Producer Neil George

Broadcasts

  • Fri 26 Sep 2014 16:00
  • Sun 28 Sep 2014 20:30

Podcast