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Agatha Christie
collection

Agatha Christie

The creator of Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and a great many more

Enid Blyton
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Enid Blyton

The Noddy and Famous Five creator has created tales that still resound to this very day

HG Wells
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HG Wells

BBC Archive is your time machine to discovering more about the author of numerous science-fiction classics

19th Century writers
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19th Century writers

Celebrating the best of 19th century writers and their literary works

Modern writers
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Modern writers

Leaf though interviews with some of the finest writers of the 20th Century

George Lamming, 1960
video

George Lamming, 1960

George Lamming discusses what it means to be a West Indian author

Roald Dahl
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Roald Dahl

Watch the author talk about his wartime record, how he gets his ideas and of course, chocolate

Philip Larkin, 1964
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Philip Larkin, 1964

The poet features on Monitor, speaking about his work and life in Hull

Stevie Smith, 1965
video

Stevie Smith, 1965

The poet and novelist gives Monitor a sample of her twisted, darkly comic style

Seamus Heaney, 1973
video

Seamus Heaney, 1973

The Castledawson-born poet discusses being a product of English and Irish literary traditions

World's Worst Poet, 1979
video

World's Worst Poet, 1979

"People are astounded when they read so much rubbish"

Romantic rivals, 1987
video

Romantic rivals, 1987

Jackie Collins and Barbara Cartland go toe-to-toe, on Wogan

Philip Pullman
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Philip Pullman

Interviews with the author of His Dark Materials

More archive things

Children's
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Children's

See how programmes for younger viewers have changed with the times

War and conflict
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War and conflict

Experience life during some of the darkest moments of history

Arts and entertainment
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Arts and entertainment

The world of showbiz, from Shakespeare to Saturday night telly