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 2025-06-05
Works (112)
61. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, November 03, 1948
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, November 03, 1948
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer thanks Betjeman for sending him a copy of "Selected Poems". He suggests meeting for lunch on January 20, and then heading to the Society of Authors' committee meeting. He continues in the following paragraphs asking about some of the poems included.
- Subject:
- Poets, Television journalists, Literature, Modern, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Modernism (Literature), and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1948-11-03
- 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 ; 18.5 x 14 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-12
- 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.
62. Letter from Edmund Blunden to John Betjemen, [1950s?]
- Title:
- Letter from Edmund Blunden to John Betjemen, [1950s?]
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and Edmund Blunden (English poet, writer, and critic). Letter appears to be written on the back of another letter to Mr. Taylor from The Conductor, on March 1, 1951
- Subject:
- Critics, Blunden, Edmund, 1896-1974, Authors, English--Correspondence, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English, Poets, English, Authors, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Television journalists, and Literature, Modern
- Creator:
- Blunden, Edmund, 1896-1974
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 195X
- 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 12.7 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink. Second page has letterhead "The Times Literary Supplement, Printing House Square, London, E.C. 4. Telephone: Central 2000".
- 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 6, Folder 10
- Fonds Title:
- John Betjeman fonds
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC015
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections finding aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/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.
63. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 19, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, January 19, 1950
- 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 his thoughts on meeting up with him and William Conrad. He tells Betjeman to send him some various dates and different places to meet, in the hopes that something can be arranged.
- Subject:
- Television journalists, Literature, Modern, Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Modernism (Literature), Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Authors, and Poets
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-01-19
- 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 ; 17.8 x 11 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London--Putney
- Coordinates:
- 51.46072, -0.21814
- 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/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.
64. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, February 16, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, February 16, 1950
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer asks Betjeman if he will go to the Society of Authors meeting on March 16. If so, he invites Betjeman to dine with him, John Sparrow (English academic), and one other person.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, Modernism (Literature), Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Authors, Poets, English, and Poets
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-02-16
- 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 ; 17.5 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-12
- 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.
65. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, March 17, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, March 17, 1950
- 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 to send a couple of his best vintage poems for "The Listener".
- Subject:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Authors, Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, and Television journalists
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-03-17
- 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 ; 20.2 x 12.6 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/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.
66. Postcard from William Plomer to John Betjeman, March 19, 1950
- Title:
- Postcard from William Plomer to John Betjeman, March 19, 1950
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer declines Betjeman's invitation to visit. Front of postcard shows a house with a sign that says "The Ancient Fig Gardens, Teas Provided" located in Worthing.
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Literature, Modern, Authors, English, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Poets, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Television journalists, and Authors
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-03-19
- 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 ; 9 x 14 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Wantage and England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.58846, -1.42565 and 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, postcards, and picture postcards
- 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-12
- 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.
67. Postcard from William Plomer to John Betjeman, April 03, 1950
- Title:
- Postcard from William Plomer to John Betjeman, April 03, 1950
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer informs Betjeman that he has decided not to travel to Cincinnati, despite Betjeman's efforts. Front of postcard shows picture of "The Mill School" with a quote underneath: "Yes there is holy pleasure in thine eyes, The lovely cottage in the golden nook".
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Authors, Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Poets, English, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, and Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-04-03
- 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 ; 14 x 9 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Sussex and England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574 and 50.91667, -0.08333
- 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, picture postcards, and postcards
- 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-12
- 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.
68. Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, April 28, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, April 28, 1950
- 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 writing something about Lord Berners, as there will be a broadcast made about him.
- Subject:
- Authors, English--Correspondence, Berners, Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson, Baron, 1883-1950, Authors, Television journalists, Modernism (Literature), Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967, Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Literature, Modern, Poets, English, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Ackerley, J. R. (Joe Randolph), 1896-1967
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-04-28
- 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 ; 17.8 x 11 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/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.
69. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, July 10, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, July 10, 1950
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer wonders if Betjeman will still go to the Society of Authors meeting, in light of his father-in-law passing away. If so, Plomer asks Betjeman to reply so that he can book at table at the Adria Hotel on Queen's Gate.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Television journalists, Authors, English, Authors, Poets, English, Modernism (Literature), Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Poets, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, and Authors, English--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-07-10
- 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:
- 3 pages ; 17.5 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:
- 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-12
- 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.
70. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, November 08, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, November 08, 1950
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer sends Betjeman a book which includes a short story by Plomer. He makes reference to Betjeman reviewing one of Doris Leslie's books.
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, Authors, Poets, English, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Authors, English--Correspondence, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, and Literature, Modern
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-11-08
- 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 ; 17.5 x 11.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Sussex
- Coordinates:
- 50.91667, -0.08333
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in black ink with letterhead in black capital letters "Rossida, Stonefields, Rustington, Sussex".
- 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://search.archives.uvic.ca/john-betjeman-fonds
- Date Digitized:
- 2023-07-13
- 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.