John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman (28 August 1906 – 19 May 1984) was a British poet and writer on architecture. He was born in Highgate, London to a furniture-maker of Dutch ancestry and was educated at Marlborough College before going to Magdalen College, Oxford. He left Oxford without a degree when he neglected his work and failed his divinity exams.

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In his verse autobiography, Summoned by Bells (1960), Betjeman tells the story of his boyhood and early adult life up to his employment as a teacher at a preparatory school.

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Later, Betjeman worked as a journalist before joining the civil service. It has recently been revealed that his wartime duties entailed providing secret intelligence reports.

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Betjeman never took himself too seriously. His poems are often humorous, and in later life he became a popular broadcaster and television personality, exploiting his bumbling and fogeyish image. His wryly comic verse, is both accessible and has attracted a great following for its satirical and observant grace. He became Poet Laureate in 1972, succeeding Cecil Day Lewis, and one of his first duties was to produce a poem in honour of the wedding of Princess Anne.

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John Betjeman died and is buried at Trebetherick, Cornwall, in his 78th year.

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From A Few Late Chrysanthemums:

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Oh little body, do not die. The soul looks out through wide blue eyes so questioningly into mine, that my tormented soul replies: "Oh little body, do not die. You hold the soul that talks to me, although our conversation be as wordless as the windy sky.

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There is a Betjeman Society.

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His authorised biography, published in three volumes by John Murray, was written by Bevis Hillier.

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