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)
21. Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, October 21, 1939
- Title:
- Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, October 21, 1939
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and artist Paul Nash. Nash tells Betjeman that he met John Piper for lunch. He hopes that Betjeman and his wife Penelope, can come to Oxford soon for lunch. He also speaks briefly about Bobby Carter "Grigson".
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, Literature, Modern, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-10-21
- 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 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford and England--Uffington (Oxfordshire)
- Coordinates:
- 51.60251, -1.55997 and 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript and signed in black pencil.
- 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 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.
22. Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, November 28, 1939
- Title:
- Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, November 28, 1939
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and artist Paul Nash. Nash tells Betjeman that he has heard from Humbert Wolfe and that he is acting "urgently" to Betjeman's written request. Nash wishes Betjeman luck with this.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Poets, Wolfe, Humbert, 1885-1940, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Modernism (Literature), Authors, English--Correspondence, Television journalists, Authors, Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, Literature, Modern, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-11-28
- 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 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford and England--Uffington (Oxfordshire)
- Coordinates:
- 51.75222, -1.25596 and 51.60251, -1.55997
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript with "Arts Bureau in Oxford for War Service 62 Holywell, Oxford Oxford 2489" printed letterhead. Handwritten and signed 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.
23. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, December 08, 1939
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, December 08, 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 for a Christmas poem that he could possibly use for The Listener.
- Subject:
- Poets, Authors, Modernism (Literature), Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Literature, Modern, Authors, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Television journalists
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-12-08
- 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:
- 1 page ; 20.2 x 12.6 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.
24. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, December 20, 1939
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, December 20, 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 would be interested in reviewing The Royal Commission on Historical Monuments' "The City of Oxford: a survey and inventory of its monuments".
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Television journalists, Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, Authors, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), Literature, Modern, and Modernism (Literature)
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1939-12-20
- 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.
25. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, [1940?-1941?]
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, [1940?-1941?]
- 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 if Betjeman is interested in writing a review of Gerald Cobb's "The Old Churches of London". The verso of the letter has some random sketches of people and insects in blue ink. Ackerley includes two introductions for Betjeman - one for "The Old Churches of London", and one for the "The English Woodland".
- Subject:
- Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Modernism (Literature), Cobb, Gerald, Authors, Television journalists, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Literature, Modern, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Authors, English, and Poets, English
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1940?/1941?
- 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 ; 20.2 x 12.6 cm and 2 pages ; 10.5 x 14 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink with "The Listener" letterhead. Random sketches in blue ink on verso. Included book introductions are in black print on blue paper.
- 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.
26. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, [January-February 1940?]
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, [January-February 1940?]
- 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 suggests to Betjeman that he wishes he would write something interesting about Irish country houses with some illustrations.
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English, Poets, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Poets, English, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, and Literature, Modern
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1940-01?/1940-02?
- 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 ; 20.2 x 12.6 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink 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.
27. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 08, 1940
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 08, 1940
- 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 tells Betjeman that there has been interest in his Newbolt script. He also asks when Betjeman will send him another poem.
- Subject:
- Television journalists, Poets, Poets, English, Authors, Literature, Modern, Modernism (Literature), Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1940-01-08
- 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:
- 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.
28. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 17, 1940
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 17, 1940
- 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 thanks Betjeman for his reply, and tells him that his latest submission will be in the upcoming issue of The Listener.
- Subject:
- Authors, English--Correspondence, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Modernism (Literature), Poets, English, Authors, Literature, Modern, Poets, and Television journalists
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1940-01-17
- 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:
- 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.
29. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, February 10, 1940
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, February 10, 1940
- 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 knows anything about Bradshaw's Guides (railway timetables). He asks Betjeman for more poems again.
- Subject:
- Authors, English, Poets, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Authors, Literature, Modern, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, and Modernism (Literature)
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1940-02-10
- 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 ; 20.2 x 12.6 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink 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.
30. Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, March 12, 1940
- Title:
- Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, March 12, 1940
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and artist Paul Nash. Nash tells Betjeman that he heard from John Piper that he got a job working with Kenneth Clark on a film. Nash talks a bit about the Arts Bureau and artists' dossiers. He mentions that it is hard to personally present writers and musicians, especially since they do not have a secretary anymore, and they rarely phone anyone due to cost.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Literature, Modern, Authors, Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, Authors, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, Poets, and Authors, English--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1940-03-12
- 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 ; 25.5 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford
- Coordinates:
- 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink with "Arts Bureau in Oxford for War Service 62 Holywell Oxford" printed letterhead.
- 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.