John Betjeman Collection
User Collection Public
The John Betjeman Collection is comprised of selections from the John Betjeman Archives held at the University of Victoria Libraries. John Betjeman (1906–1984) was a British poet, writer, and broadcaster, and active in the campaigning for the preservation of churches, buildings and landscape. He was knighted in 1969 and became poet laureate in the U.K. in 1972.
The collection is comprised of correspondence sent to John Betjeman from family and friends, professional and business associates, and aspiring poets and fans. Correspondents primarily include J.R. Ackerley, a British writer and editor.
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/7fe5b788-ef83-40b8-b2f8-9a3957894ce7
Collection Details
- Items 112
- Last Updated 2025-01-28
Works (112)
11. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, November 14, 1938
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, November 14, 1938
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley (writer and literary editor of the BBC's weekly magazine The Listener, and open homosexual). Ackerley writes that he and William Plomer (novelist, poet, and literary editor) enjoyed his poem "Sir John Piers". Ackerley is not sure if Betjeman is suggesting it for The Listener. He notes that a rival weekly received something from Betjeman, so he suggests a Christmas poem from him.
- Subject:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Poets, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Television journalists, Modernism (Literature), Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Literature, Modern, and Authors
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1938-11-14
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page ; 25.4 x 20.2 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript with "The Listener" letterhead. Paper watermark "Portland Bond".
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 1, Folder 2
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-11-09
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticbookA300 at 600 DPI Tiff, each image cropped and resized to under 35MB for Vault by PD. Metadata by MT.
12. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, November 23, 1938
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, November 23, 1938
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer addresses this letter to "Epsilon", which is the pseudonym Betjeman used when writing the poem "Sir John Piers". Plomer thanks him for sending him a signed copy of the poem.
- Subject:
- Authors, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Authors, English, Poets, English, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, Authors, English--Correspondence, and Literature, Modern
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1938-11-23
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 3 pages ; 18 x 13.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 36, Folder 9
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022-07-19
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticBookA300 @ 300 & 600 DPI Tiff, as well as on Epson 10000XL @ 300 & 600 DPI by KM. Images cropped and resized for Vault @ approx 35MB. Metadata by MT.
13. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 1939-May 1939
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 1939-May 1939
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley (writer and literary editor of the BBC's weekly magazine The Listener, and open homosexual). Ackerley writes on the cover of a copy of The Listener, and tells Betjeman that it is clearly a good book, but he will have to edit it down.
- Subject:
- Television journalists, Poets, Poets, English, Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Modernism (Literature), Literature, Modern, and Authors
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-01/1939-05
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page ; 15 x 9.8 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in red ink on a page with "The Listener" letterhead.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 1, Folder 2
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-11-09
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticbookA300 at 600 DPI Tiff, each image cropped and resized to under 35MB for Vault by PD. Metadata by MT.
14. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, [1939?]
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, [1939?]
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley (writer and literary editor of the BBC's weekly magazine The Listener, and open homosexual). Ackerley gives Betjeman feedback on his latest submission, saying that the editor did not like them. Ackerley then asked William Plomer to give him some feedback, and while he agreed with the editor, he did enjoy the stories.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, Literature, Modern, Modernism (Literature), Authors, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, and Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939?
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 3 pages ; 11.4 x 18 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- letters (correspondence) and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 1, Folder 2
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-11-09
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticbookA300 at 600 DPI Tiff, each image cropped and resized to under 35MB for Vault by PD. Metadata by MT.
15. Letter from Edward Charles Sackville-West to John Betjeman, March 31, [1939?]
- Title:
- Letter from Edward Charles Sackville-West to John Betjeman, March 31, [1939?]
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjeman and Edward Sackville-West (the 5th Baron Sackville, novelist, music critic, and politician). Sackville-West tells Betjeman that the reason he received his letter late was because his father suddenly passed away. He suggests meeting for lunch one day as he's in London now and then. He also tells Betjeman that he enjoyed his book of poems called "Old lights for new chancels".
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Poets, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Sackville-West, Edward, 1901-1965, Authors, English, Television journalists, Authors, Literature, Modern, Poets, and Modernism (Literature)
- Creator:
- Sackville-West, Edward, 1901-1965
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939?-03-31
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 2 pages
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Kent
- Coordinates:
- 51.16667, 0.66667
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in green ink on cream paper, with letterhead "Sevenoaks 834" and "Knoles Sevenoaks" in green lettering.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 40, Folder 10
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-25
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticBookA300 @ 300 & 600 DPI Tiff, as well as on Epson 10000XL @ 300 & 600 DPI by KM. Images cropped and resized for Vault @ approx 35MB. Metadata by MT.
16. Letter from Edmund Blunden to John Betjemen, May 24, 1939
- Title:
- Letter from Edmund Blunden to John Betjemen, May 24, 1939
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and Edmund Blunden (English poet, writer, and critic). Blunden thanks Betjeman for sending him "Continual Dew", a book of poems by Betjeman. Has address "12 Woodstock Close, Oxford" written in top right corner.
- Subject:
- Poets, Literature, Modern, Authors, English--Correspondence, Critics, Poets, English, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, Blunden, Edmund, 1896-1974, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Authors
- Creator:
- Blunden, Edmund, 1896-1974
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-05-24
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page ; 23.4 x 17.1 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford
- Coordinates:
- 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 6, Folder 10
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-10-27
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticbookA300 at 600 DPI Tiff, cropped and resized to under 35MB each image for Vault by PD. Metadata by MT.
17. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, July 18, 1939
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, July 18, 1939
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley (writer and literary editor of the BBC's weekly magazine The Listener, and open homosexual). Ackerley asks Betjeman if he is interested in reviewing the book "History of East London from the earliest times to the end of the eighteenth century" by Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Smith, H. Llewellyn (Hubert Llewellyn), 1864-1945, Authors, English, Authors, Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English--Correspondence, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, and Literature, Modern
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-07-18
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 page ; 25.4 x 20.2 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript with "The Listener" letterhead. Paper watermark "Portland Bond".
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 1, Folder 2
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-11-09
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticbookA300 at 600 DPI Tiff, each image cropped and resized to under 35MB for Vault by PD. Metadata by MT.
18. Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, August 1939
- Title:
- Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, August 1939
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and artist Paul Nash. Nash thanks Betjeman for his lists as they are needed now. He mentions there is a meeting the next day, and includes his material for Esher (a town in Surrey, England).
- Subject:
- Television journalists, Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Poets, English, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, and Literature, Modern
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-08
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 2 pages ; 12.75 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford
- Coordinates:
- 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and letters (correspondence)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 33, Folder 3
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022-07-19
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticBookA300 @ 300 & 600 DPI Tiff, as well as on Epson 10000XL @ 300 & 600 DPI by KM. Images cropped and resized for Vault @ approx 35MB. Metadata by MT.
19. Postcard from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, September 29, 1939
- Title:
- Postcard from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, September 29, 1939
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley (writer and literary editor of the BBC's weekly magazine The Listener, and open homosexual). Ackerley invites Betjeman to lunch the next time he is in town, and asks whether he has any poem he can use for The Listener.
- Subject:
- Television journalists, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Modernism (Literature), and Poets
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-09-29
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 postcard ; 8.6 x 13.6 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London and England--Uffington (Oxfordshire)
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574 and 51.60251, -1.55997
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Address in typescript and handwritten in black ink, with "The British Broadcasting Corporation" letterhead.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- postcards, letters (correspondence), and correspondence
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 1, Folder 2
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-11-09
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticbookA300 at 600 DPI Tiff, each image cropped and resized to under 35MB for Vault by PD. Metadata by MT.
20. Postcard from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, October 05, 1939
- Title:
- Postcard from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, October 05, 1939
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and artist Paul Nash. Nash asks Betjeman if he could bring any writers' dossiers when they meet on Saturday. He also asks Betjeman to bring John Piper with him.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Poets, Authors, English, Television journalists, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, Modernism (Literature), Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, and Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-10-05
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 1 postcard
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford and England--Uffington (Oxfordshire)
- Coordinates:
- 51.60251, -1.55997 and 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript and handwritten in black ink.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- correspondence and postcards
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2000-010; File: Box 33, Folder 3
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2022-07-19
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Plustek OpticBookA300 @ 300 & 600 DPI Tiff, as well as on Epson 10000XL @ 300 & 600 DPI by KM. Images cropped and resized for Vault @ approx 35MB. Metadata by MT.