1. John Claudius Loudon and the Derby Arboretum

Historian Tristram Hunt investigates the people and ideas behind our public parks, starting with the Derby Arboretum.

John Claudius Loudon was the first major advocate of public parks for the burgeoning cities of 19th-century England.

This was largely through his prolific literary output of articles, books and magazines, where it is estimated that he wrote 60 million words to advance his cause.

Producer: Erin Riley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2007.