John Betjeman

by Hillier, Bevis

• ISBN13: 9780719564932
• ISBN10: 071956493X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: John Murray Pubs Ltd

Summary

John Betjeman was without question the most popular poet of the twentieth century and his poems have been bought and read by millions. He opened eyes to what before him had seemed ordinary but is now unforgettable. This rich biography of Betjeman's life is full of entertaining anecdotes, yet uncovers too the insecurities underlying his wistful humour. Bevis Hillier has created a delightful book, which will constantly surprise its reader.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	ix
Preface	xi
The Story So Far	xiv
1 Uffington	1	(26)
2 Film Critic	27	(33)
3 The Diarist	60	(6)
4 'That's Shell - That Was!'	66	(14)
5 'To Mr and Mrs John Betjeman, a Son'	80	(16)
6 The Pipers	96	(13)
7 Continual Dew and An Oxford University Chest	109	(12)
8 Decoration	121	(19)
9 Observer Corps	140	(6)
10 Taking to the Air	146	(12)
11 'Minnie'	158	(24)
12 Old Lights for New Chancels	182	(13)
13 Ireland	195	(45)
14 Daily Herald	240	(25)
15 Admiralty	265	(19)
16 Farnborough	284	(42)
17 New Bats in Old Belfries	326	(14)
18 British Council	340	(19)
19 A Lincolnshire Tale	359	(9)
20 Oxford Preservation Trust	368	(15)
21 On the Air in the Forties	383	(9)
22 'The Betje-bus'	392	(14)
23 A Preservationist in the Making	406	(17)
24 'Tame and Tade'	423	(27)
25 Wantage	450	(26)
26 First and Last Loves	476	(11)
27 A Few Late Chrysanthemums	487	(14)
28 Cloth Fair and Rotherhithe	501	(18)
29 On the Air in the Fifties	519	(10)
30 'City and Suburban'	529	(22)
31 Television Personality	551	(10)
32 Preservationist's Progress	561	(9)
33 Cincinnati	570	(23)
34 In the late 1950's	593	(8)
35 'A Really Thrilling Moment of Triumph'	601	(11)
Appendix: 'Uffington Downs'	612	(4)
Acknowledgements	616	(4)
Notes	620	(88)
Index	708