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Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius

Docudrama that recounts the astonishing life story of a forgotten genius, English poet Alexander Pope, who lived from 1688 to 1744.

An entertaining docudrama that portrays the astonishing life of Alexander Pope (1688-1744), a forgotten genius and a child prodigy akin to Mozart. He was the greatest poet of the 18th century and is the second most quoted writer in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations after Shakespeare.

Pope stood at just four feet six inches tall. He was a hunchback and an outsider in every way, yet he made the equivalent, in today's money, of one million pounds from his poetry. His satire and wit are all around us, in our everyday speech and songs, yet few are aware of the author and his achievements.

Pope’s work is concerned with feminism, friendship, freedom of speech, the environment, corruption in government and what it means to be a moral citizen.

8 months left to watch

49 minutes

Last on

Sun 10 Oct 202120:10

Music Played

  • Elvis Presley

    Fools Rush In

  • The Rolling Stones

    Not Fade Away

Credits

RoleContributor
NarratorEmilia Fox
Alexander PopeSimon Callow
Duchess of MarlboroughHarriet Walter
Interviewed GuestJohn Cleese
Dr JohnsonJeff Rawle
Lord ByronShubham Saraf
Lady Arabella FermourAgatha Elwes
Interviewed GuestFelicity Rosslyn
Interviewed GuestPhilip Hensher
DirectorSophie Bevan
DirectorPeter Bevan

Broadcast

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