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)
41. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, September 21, 1941
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, September 21, 1941
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer explains to Betjeman why he hasn't written back sooner. He talks about how he would like to make a book of collected poems. He mentions that he and Joe Ackerley had dinner with General Charlton, and talks about reading the autobiography of Augustus Hare. He tells Betjeman that he would like to hear more about his epic.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, Authors, and Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1941-09-21
- 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:
- 4 pages ; 26 x 20 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:
- 2022-07-20
- 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.
42. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, February 09, 1942
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, February 09, 1942
- 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 "Irish Castles" by H. G. Leask. He also hints to Betjeman for an invitation, in the hopes of spending his summer holiday in his neighbourhood.
- Subject:
- Authors, English--Correspondence, Modernism (Literature), Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English, Authors, Television journalists, Literature, Modern, Poets, Poets, English, 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:
- 1942-02-09
- 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 ; 25.4 x 20.2 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". Random sketching in black ink on verso.
- 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.
43. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, May 05, 1942
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, May 05, 1942
- 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 talks about Betjeman's latest review.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Television journalists, Literature, Modern, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Modernism (Literature), Authors, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1942-05-05
- 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:
- 2 pages ; 25.4 x 18.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink with "The British Broadcasting Corporation" letterhead. Right edge torn. 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.
44. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, December 28, 1942
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, December 28, 1942
- 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 "The Later Life and Letters of Sir Henry Newbolt" as he knows Betjeman is a fan of his.
- Subject:
- Modernism (Literature), Authors, English, Literature, Modern, Television journalists, Poets, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Authors, English--Correspondence, and Poets
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1942-12-28
- 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 ; 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.
45. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, March 11, 1943
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, March 11, 1943
- 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 informs Betjeman that "The History of the Parson's Wife" by Margaret Watt is available to review if he is interested.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Poets, Poets, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Modernism (Literature), Authors, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English, Television journalists, 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:
- 1943-03-11
- 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:
- 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:
- 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.
46. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, April 14, 1943
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, April 14, 1943
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer sends Betjeman an advertisement copied from the New Statesman magazine. He encourages Betjeman to visit him soon and bring news about the Epic.
- Subject:
- Authors, Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Poets, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, and Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1943-04-14
- 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:
- 3 pages ; 17.75 x 11.5 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:
- letters (correspondence) and 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.
47. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, September 29, 1943
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, September 29, 1943
- 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 his acceptance arrived too late but he will find something else for him. He invites Betjeman over for lunch.
- Subject:
- Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Authors, English, Poets, Literature, Modern, Television journalists, Modernism (Literature), Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Authors
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1943-09-29
- 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 page ; 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:
- 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.
48. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, June 23, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, June 23, 1944
- 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 he has accepted two of R. Hunter's poems and is in contact with him. He writes that he wishes Betjeman would write him something.
- Subject:
- Authors, English--Correspondence, Literature, Modern, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Television journalists, Poets, English, Authors, 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:
- 1944-06-23
- 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:
- 1 page ; 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.
49. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, July 04, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, July 04, 1944
- 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 Lord Dunsany's autobiography, "While the Sirens Slept".
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English--Correspondence, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Poets, English, Literature, Modern, Dunsany, Lord, 1878-1957, Authors, Poets, Authors, English, Television journalists, and Modernism (Literature)
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-07-04
- 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:
- 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:
- 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.
50. Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, August 07, 1944
- Title:
- Letter from Paul Nash to John Betjeman, August 07, 1944
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and artist Paul Nash. Nash sends some of his work to Betjeman just in case it can be reproduced. He tells him that he talked to the editor at The Listener but they wanted to wait until a "suitable occasion". Nash talks about Bath and wonders how battered it is as he has an Aunt there. He also talks about dining at Christ Church High Table of which he is a temporary honorary member.
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Nash, Paul, 1889-1946, Authors, English--Correspondence, Literature, Modern, Authors, English, Television journalists, Poets, English, Poets, Modernism (Literature), and Authors
- Creator:
- Nash, Paul, 1889-1946
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1944-08-07
- 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 ; 25.5 x 20 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Oxford
- Coordinates:
- 51.75222, -1.25596
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink with "p.s." section written in red pencil. Includes printed letterhead "106 Banbury Road Oxford Oxford 59750".
- 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.