Frederick the Great of Prussia

Great Lives

BBC

History, Documentary, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 11 April 2023

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Frederick the Great had a brute of a father. When young Frederick was captured trying to run away, he was locked up and forced to watch his friend - possibly his lover - being beheaded in front of his eyes. King of Prussia from 1740, Frederick was also a musician, a composer, a writer and a chancer who took extraordinary military risks to secure his place in Europe. Adolf Hitler thought the world of Frederick the Great, but how do Germans view him today? Joining Matthew Parris to discuss a really extraordinary great life is Christopher Clark, regius professor of history at Cambridge University and Frederick's nominator. He recalls crossing into East Berlin in the eighties and being thrilled to discover Frederick's cultural legacy was still largely intact. Also in studio is Katja Hoyer, author of Beyond the Wall who grew up with the spectre of Frederick looming large both at school and at home. The producer in Bristol is Miles Warde

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.
0:03.7	My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a Load of Sport Podcasts.
0:08.4	I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with a leading journalist, experienced
0:12.2	pundits and the biggest sport stars.
0:14.3	Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the players'
0:18.5	mouths.
0:19.5	But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is our unique access to the sport in world.
0:25.0	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to
0:28.8	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.2	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:41.6	There aren't enough Germans on Radio 4, but we've got one today.
0:45.6	Frederick the Great, ruler of Prussia, from 1740 to 1786.
0:52.0	Sometimes nicknamed Old Fritz, he's been associated with the rise of a certain type of
0:58.0	military proficiency that gave Germany, well, let's call it a bad name.
1:03.5	But before you all rush for the green ink, let me tell you that Frederick was also, maybe,
1:08.8	the opposite of what you'd expect him to be.
1:12.3	Joining me to nominate the Great Gay Prussian is Professor Christopher Clark, 22nd Regious
1:18.7	Professor of History at Cambridge, knighted in 2015, and the author of a new book called
1:24.7	Revolutionary Spring.
1:26.7	It's about Europe, 1848, but your choice, Chris, for great lives was born almost a century
1:32.9	and a half earlier.
1:33.9	Tell us a bit about him and why he matters to you.
	...

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