02: 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)

01: The Top 100 | Great Britons (2002)

01: 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...

03: Darwin | Great Britons (2002)

03: 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...

04: Cromwell | Great Britons (2002)

04: 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 establis...

05: Nelson | Great Britons (2002)

05: 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 f...

07: Elizabeth I | Great Britons (2002)

07: 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, an...

08: Newton | Great Britons (2002)

08: 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.

09: Churchill | Great Britons (2002)

09: 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 inspirati...

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...

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...

S02E03: The Worst Industrial Jobs in History | The Worst Jobs In History

S02E03: 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...

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 ...

Children in the Industrial Revolution | The Children Who Built Victorian Britain

Children in the Industrial Revolution | The Children Who Built Victorian Britain

BBC Four | 2011 | 9'52''

How children were treated and how this began to change.

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...

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

07: 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.

Britain 1750-1900: 03: Health and Housing | History File

Britain 1750-1900: 03: 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 ...

Britain 1750-1900: 04: Work and Wages | History File

Britain 1750-1900: 04: Work and Wages | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 18'11''

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

01: Speed Merchants | What the Victorians Did For Us

01: Speed Merchants | What the Victorians Did For Us

BBC Two | 2001 | 29'10''

Adam Hart-Davis investigates the Victorian innovations that left a lasting impression on British society. This edition f...

Britain 1750-1900: 02: Crime and Punishment | History File

Britain 1750-1900: 02: 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 th...

Britain 1750-1900: 01: Migration and Emigration | History File

Britain 1750-1900: 01: Migration and Emigration | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 18'54''

Compilation of secondary schools programme on British History 1750-1900. Looks at how industrialisation change...

S03E02: Victoria and Her Sisters | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

S03E02: Victoria and Her Sisters | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2002 | 59'14''

A look at the social and economic changes which took place during Queen Victoria's reign, such as ind...

Britain 1750-1900: 05: Reform and Recreation | History File

Britain 1750-1900: 05: Reform and Recreation | History File

BBC Two | 2000 | 18'25''

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

Britain 1750-1900: 06: 1900-1909 - Britain at its peak? | History File

Britain 1750-1900: 06: 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 industrialisatio...

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...

Episode 1 | Britain's Biggest Dig

Episode 1 | Britain's Biggest Dig

BBC Two | 2020 | 59'16''

In advance of the construction of HS2, the biggest ever cemetery excavation in Britain reveals the forgotten stories of rich and poor in Ge...

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

01: 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.

Liverpool cotton trade | A House Through Time

Liverpool cotton trade | A House Through Time

BBC Two | 2018 | 3'25''

David Olusoga investigates the role Liverpool played in the cotton trade.

Roads | Learning Zone

Roads | Learning Zone

BBC Two | 2013 | 2'55''

In 1706 Parliament passed the Turnpike Act which allowed private road builders to build new roads and charge tolls for using them. It was a first, impo...

S02E04: This Land Is Our Land | A History of Scotland

S02E04: This Land Is Our Land | A History of Scotland

BBC One Scotland | 2009 | 58'12''

Neil Oliver looks at how, in the early 19th century, rural workers fled from Scotland's countryside into the industrial...