Lee Evans (pictured), Yuan Longping, Bill McCall, Alix Dobkin
Matthew Bannister on sprinter Lee Evans, plant scientist Yuan Longping, union leader Bill McCall, singer Alix Dobkin
Matthew Bannister on
Lee Evans, the world-record-breaking American sprinter who took part in black power protests at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
Yuan Longping, the plant scientist who developed hybrid varieties of rice that increased yields dramatically and so saved millions from hunger.
Bill McCall, the General Secretary of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants who challenged Margaret Thatcher over union recognition at GCHQ.
Alix Dobkin, the folk singer and lesbian activist who performed to women-only audiences.
Producer: Neil George
Interviewed guest: Tommie Smith
Interviewed guest: Professor Douglas Hartmann
Interviewed guest: Keith Bradsher
Interviewed guest: Charles Harvey
Interviewed guest: Liza Cowan
Archive clips used: Athletics_400 Metres Final: ±«Óãtv One, TX 18.10.1968; A Classless Civil Service: Radio 3, TX 10.7.1968; ±«Óãtv News: ±«Óãtv One, TX 28.2.1984
Last on
Lee Evans
Born 25 February 1947; died 19 May 2021, aged 74.
Last Word spoke to Tommie Smith, the Olympic athlete who did the black power salute on the podium in 1968 Mexico City and to Professor Douglas Hartmann, who wrote Race, Culture, and the Revolt of the Black Athlete: The 1968 Olympic Protests and Their Aftermath.
Yuan Longping
Born 7 September 1930; died 22 May 2021, aged 90.
Last Word spoke to Keith Bradsher, Shanghai bureau chief for the New York Times.
Bill McCall
Born 6 July 1929; died 15 April 2021 aged 91.
Last Word spoke to his friend and colleague, Charles Harvey.
Alix Dobkin
Born 16 August 1940; died 19 May 2021, aged 80.
Last Word spoke to her friend, the artist and designer, Liza Cowan.
Broadcasts
- Fri 11 Jun 2021 16:00±«Óãtv Radio 4 FM
- Sun 13 Jun 2021 20:30±«Óãtv Radio 4
Podcast
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Last Word
Radio 4's weekly obituary programme
