2: Brunel | Great Britons (2002)

Duration: 57'50''

Synopsis

In a series of programs about the chief candidates for greatness, Jeremy Clarkson argues the case for Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the great 19th-century engineer who built bridges, railways, ships, and other groundbreaking works.

Further Information

More clips from Great Britons (2002)

1: The Top 100 | Great Britons (2002)

1: The Top 100 | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 1'39'03''

Anne Robinson launches the BBC's search for the Greatest Briton in a special program, revealing a countdown of the top 100 nominations....

11: The Greatest of Them All | Great Britons (2002)

11: The Greatest of Them All | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 2'03'36''

A final opportunity to hear the arguments and vote for the Greatest Briton of all time. Anne Robinson is joined by the ce...

3: Darwin | Great Britons (2002)

3: Darwin | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 56'03''

Andrew Marr presents the case for Charles Darwin as the greatest Briton, reporting from the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin first witnessed ...

4: Cromwell | Great Britons (2002)

4: Cromwell | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 58'11''

Monarchist and military historian Richard Holmes proposes Oliver Cromwell, the reluctant republican and revolutionary who helped establish...

5: Nelson | Great Britons (2002)

5: Nelson | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 58'32''

Historian Lucy Moore makes the case for Horatio Nelson, Britain's most successful naval leader, who died in 1805 while saving the country fr...

7: Elizabeth I | Great Britons (2002)

7: Elizabeth I | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 58'19''

Michael Portillo champions Elizabeth I, arguing that she fought religious fanaticism, established Britain's tradition of tolerance, and...

8: Newton | Great Britons (2002)

8: Newton | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 54'21''

Historian Tristram Hunt presents the case for Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientific intellects of all time.

9: Churchill | Great Britons (2002)

9: Churchill | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2002 | 58'22''

In the final documentary of the series, MP Mo Mowlam argues for Winston Churchill as the greatest Briton, portraying him as an inspiratio...

John Lennon | Great Britons (2002)

John Lennon | Great Britons (2002)

BBC Two | 2006 | 1'01'01''

As part of the Great Britons series, actor and comedian Alan Davies presents the case for John Lennon. As both a member of The Beatles and...

More resources about The Industrial Revolution

Why the Industrial Revolution Happened Here

Why the Industrial Revolution Happened Here

BBC HD | 2013 | 57'55''

Professor Jeremy Black explains the unique economic, social and political factors that helped Britain transform itself almost ent...

S2E3: The Worst Industrial Jobs in History | The Worst Jobs In History

S2E3: The Worst Industrial Jobs in History | The Worst Jobs In History

Channel 4 | 2006 | 48'51''

Among the Worst Industrial Jobs in History are: Bridge builders, Canal leggers, bone cleaner to make b...

The Children Who Built Victorian Britain

The Children Who Built Victorian Britain

BBC Four | 2011 | 59'13''

Using animation and actual recorded testimony, historian Jane Humphries tells the story of the child workers whose exploitation was ...

6: 1900-1909 - Britain at its peak? | History File

6: 1900-1909 - Britain at its peak? | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 23'35''

Compilation of secondary schools programme on British History 1750-1900. Looks at how industrialisation changed the day-to...

7: Age of Industry | Andrew Marr's History of the World

7: Age of Industry | Andrew Marr's History of the World

BBC One | 2012 | 59'14''

In this episode, Andrew Marr tells how Britain's Industrial Revolution created the modern world.

3: Health and Housing | History File

3: Health and Housing | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 19'01''

Compilation of secondary schools programme on British History 1750-1900. Looks at how industrialisation changed the day-to-day lives of ...

Canals | Learning Zone

Canals | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2013 | 3'40''

In the 1770s canals linked the country, carrying goods cheaply and efficiently. Without them it is hard to see how the Industrial Revolution could hav...

2: Crime and Punishment | History File

2: Crime and Punishment | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 18'51''

Compilation of secondary schools programme on British History 1750-1900. Looks at how industrialisation changed the day-to-day lives o...

1: Migration and Emigration | History File

1: Migration and Emigration | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 18'54''

Compilation of secondary schools programme on British History 1750-1900. Looks at how industrialisation changed the day-to-day liv...

Industry and factories | Learning Zone

Industry and factories | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2013 | 3'49''

Today we take factories for granted but in the 1700s they represented a completely new way of working. Until this time most work was d...

3: Having It All | The Victorians

3: Having It All | The Victorians

BBC One | 2009 | 58'46''

Continuing his exploration of the Victorian world, Jeremy Paxman tells how railways, factories and military might made Britain the richest ...

5: Henry VIII to the Industrial Revolution | Michael Wood's Story of England

5: Henry VIII to the Industrial Revolution | Michael Wood's Story of England

BBC Four | 2010 | 59'05''

A portrait of one village through the whole of English history sees 17th-century dissenters, an ...

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead

BBC Two | 2016 | 59'13''

Historians Ruth Goodman, Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn explore how the introduction of steam railways in the early 19th century changed Britain.

Railway Mania | The Past at Work

Railway Mania | The Past at Work

BBC Two | 1980 | 24'51''

First transmitted in 1980, Anthony Burton discovers more about Britain's industrial past and the role of railway companies in the 19th Century.

S2E5: Wales | Local Heroes

S2E5: Wales | Local Heroes

BBC Two | 1997 | 29'02''

Adam Hart-Davis recalls heroes of science and invention in Wales. Amongst others, he reveals the inventions of Harry Grindell Matthews and Richard...

Unlocking the Midlands | A History of the World

Unlocking the Midlands | A History of the World

BBC One | 2010 | 28'54''

Chris Tarrant discovers how one simple invention revolutionised the industrial heart of Britain. He travels by narrow boat to...

1: A Cup of Tea | The Boat That Guy Built

1: A Cup of Tea | The Boat That Guy Built

BBC One | 2011 | 29'02''

Guy Martin renovates a neglected narrowboat with inventions from the Industrial Revolution. He begins by building an 18th-century b...

1: The Great Ship | Seven Wonders of the Industrial World

1: The Great Ship | Seven Wonders of the Industrial World

BBC Two | 2003 | 49'07''

Following the story of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's struggle to build the world's largest ship, The Great Eastern.

2: A Nice Hot Shower | The Boat That Guy Built

2: A Nice Hot Shower | The Boat That Guy Built

BBC One | 2011 | 29'09''

Guy decides to make a steam engine power the shower on board his aptly-named narrowboat, Reckless. He also visits the factory ...

2: The Age of Invention | Howard Goodall's Story of Music

2: The Age of Invention | Howard Goodall's Story of Music

BBC Two | 2013 | 58'41''

Howard Goodall looks at the fertile musical period between 1650 and 1750, in which many of the musical innovations ...