John Betjeman

John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman, CBE ( /ˈbɛtʃəmən/; 28 August 1906 – 19 May 1984) was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".

He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British television.

Read more about John Betjeman:  Poetry, Betjeman and Architecture, Legacy, Honours, Poetry Collections, Bibliography

Famous quotes containing the words john and/or betjeman:

    Whither goest thou?
    Bible: New Testament Peter, in John, 13:36.

    The words, which are repeated in John 16:5, are best known in the Latin form in which they appear in the Vulgate: Quo vadis? Jesus replies, “Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”

    And is it true? And is it true,
    This most tremendous tale of all,
    Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
    A Baby in an ox’s stall?
    The Maker of the stars and sea
    Become a Child on earth for me?
    —Sir John Betjeman (1906–1984)