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
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
Mark Steel | Host / Presenter |
Martin Hyder | Ensemble Actor |
Mark Steel | Writer |
Pete Sinclair | Writer |
James Serafinowicz (as James Sezchuan) | Writer |
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 |