Main content

Nigel Nicolson

Sue Lawley's castaway is writer and publisher Nigel Nicolson.

The castaway in Desert Island Discs this week is the writer and publisher Nigel Nicolson. He'll be talking to Sue Lawley about his parents Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West and their unconventional marriage which was based on deep mutual love but also allowed both of them to enjoy homosexual affairs. His book Portrait of a Marriage - famously televised by the ±«Óãtv - tells their story. He'll also be describing his isolated upbringing at Sissinghurst Castle, his relationship with his mother and how he co-founded the publishing house Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Bolero by Maurice Ravel
Book: A Guide To The Universe (Astronomy)
Luxury: Telescope

Available now

40 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Mar 1995 09:05

Music Played

  • Audrey Hepburn

    I Could Have Danced All Night

    • My Fair Lady.
    • CBS.
  • Paul Robeson

    Canoe Song

    • The Best of Paul Robeson.
    • EMI.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Maurice Ravel

      Bolero

      Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Conductor: Herbert von Karajan

      • Ravel: Bolero.
      • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • 11th Army Officers' Training School Chorus, Hamburg

    Lilli Marlene

    • Decca.
  • Glenn Miller

    A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

    • Glenn Miller - The Popular Recordings.
    • Bluebird.
  • Patricia Hodge

    Pride & Prejudice

    Composer: Jane Austen – ±«Óãtv RADIO 4 WOMAN'S HOUR

  • Stephen Foster

    My Old Kentucky ±«Óãtv

    Choir: Mormon Tabernacle Choir

    • The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
    • Sony Classical.
  • Sandie Shaw

    Puppet on a String

    • The Summer of Love.
    • Premier.
  • Book Choice

    • A Guide To The Universe (Astronomy)

  • Luxury Choice

    • Telescope

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Nigel Nicolson

Broadcasts

  • Sun 12 Mar 1995 12:15
  • Fri 17 Mar 1995 09:05

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast