The Mark Steel Lectures. Mark Steel
The Mark Steel Lectures

The Mark Steel Lectures

  • TV factual / stand-up
  • BBC Four
  • 2002 - 2006
  • 18 episodes (3 series)

Series telling the story of some of the world's greatest names, from Byron to Pankhurst, in an accessible, comic manner. Features Mark Steel and Martin Hyder.

Episode menu

Series 3, Episode 3 - Descartes

A comic take on the life of philosopher Rene Descartes.

Further details

Join the award winning comedian Mark Steel as he charts Descartes course through scientific history; his stint as a card shark in the Dutch army, his invention of the little 2, the symbol used to signify a squared number, his invention of the x and y used in algebra.

Not to mention his numerous biological experiments that gave us first clear idea that the senses were linked to the central nervous system and his seminal work, 'The Meditations' in which he constructed a theory of the universe which instead of beginning with blind faith, insisted on the prominence of doubt as a starting point.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 9th March 2006
Time
11pm
Channel
BBC Four
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Mark Steel Host / Presenter
Martin Hyder Ensemble Actor
Writing team
Mark Steel Writer
Pete Sinclair Writer
James Serafinowicz (as James Sezchuan) Writer
Production team
Becky Martin Director
Phil Bowker Producer
Emma De'Ath Executive Producer
Mobashir Dar (as Mob Dar) Executive Producer
Gayle Cope Line Producer
Jon Blow Editor
Geoff Slack Costume Designer
Sarah Burrows Make-up Designer

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