Who is John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman (; 28 August 1906 – 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer, and broadcaster. He was Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death. He was a founding member of The Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture, helping to save St Pancras railway station from demolition. He began his career as a journalist and ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate and a much-loved figure on British television.

Life

Early life and education

Betjeman was born John Betjemann. He was the son of a prosperous silverware maker of Dutch descent. His parents, Mabel (née Dawson) and Ernest Betjemann, had a family firm at 34–42 Pentonville Road which manufactured the kind of ornamental household furniture and gadge...
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John Betjeman Poems

• Trebetherick
  We used to picnic where the thrift
  Grew deep and tufted to the edge;
  We saw the yellow foam flakes drift
  In trembling sponges on the ledge...
• The Plantster's Vision
  Cut down that timber! Bells, too many and strong,
  Pouring their music through the branches bare,
  From moon-white church towers down the windy air
  Have pealed the centuries out with Evensong....
• The Last Laugh
  I made hay while the sun shone.
  My work sold.
  Now, if the harvest is over
  And the world cold,...
• Slough
  Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
  It isn't fit for humans now,
  There isn't grass to graze a cow.
  Swarm over, Death!...
• Myfanwy
  Kind o'er the kinderbank leans my Myfanwy,
  White o'er the playpen the sheen of her dress,
  Fresh from the bathroom and soft in the nursery
  Soap scented fingers I long to caress....

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John Betjeman Quotes

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Comments about John Betjeman

• Willtullett: john betjeman in 'summoned by bells' remembering the smell of the london underground in the late 1910s: the central london, with its cut-glass shades on draughty stations, had an ozone smell – not seaweed-scented ozone from the sea but something chemical from birmingham.
• Allour_stories: clevedon pier opened otd 1869 with parade, bands & cannon volley by first somerset artillery. paddle steamer excursions to wales. ‘the most beautiful pier in england’ (john betjeman).  think bathing machines on the beach, stripey bathing suits, moustaches & saucy postcards.
• Samfaith: i forgot i took this photo last week. one for the stymie bold / egyptian gothic fans. it's at trebetherick in cornwall and it's a nice thought that john betjeman's phone calls might've gone through here.
• Felicitycox14: to paraphrase john betjeman: "come, friendly bombs, and fall on chester it isn't fit for humans now..."
• Dream_teamtips: 1 point - john betjeman won us some money last time out at ffos las as winner and has not been penalised at all for this next race, looks strong to finish in top two in a small field. added with greece to win to add some extra value. lithuania have only scored in 2/10 games.

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