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)
71. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, December 18, 1950
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, December 18, 1950
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer thanks Betjeman for his thoughts on his short story. He also mentions a letter in The Spectator which talks unfavourably about Betjeman, and he details how he was going to reply. He mentions John Brophy's novel and thanks Betjeman for his Christmas card.
- Subject:
- Authors, Poets, Poets, English, Authors, English, Literature, Modern, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, Modernism (Literature), and Authors, English--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1950-12-18
- 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:
- 4 pages ; 17.75 x 13.5 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:
- 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:
- 2023-07-13
- 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.
72. Postcard from William Plomer to John Betjeman, January 01, 1951
- Title:
- Postcard from William Plomer to John Betjeman, January 01, 1951
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer thanks Betjeman for his Christmas card.
- Subject:
- Television journalists, Authors, English--Correspondence, Modernism (Literature), Authors, Literature, Modern, Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Poets, English, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, and Authors, English
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1951-01-01
- 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 ; 13.75 x 8.25 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Wantage and England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574 and 51.58846, -1.42565
- 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:
- postcards, correspondence, 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.
73. Postcard from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, April 14, 1951
- Title:
- Postcard from J. R. Ackerley to John Betjeman, April 14, 1951
- 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 him a new poem. Verso of postcard shows a picture from the Llangattock School of Arts and Crafts for Crippled Girls, Heritage Craft Schools, in Chailey, Sussex.
- Subject:
- Poets, Literature, Modern, Poets, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Modernism (Literature), Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, 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:
- 1951-04-14
- 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:
- 1 postcard ; 8.8 x 14 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- Cartwright, William, 1611-1643 and England--Wantage
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574 and 51.58846, -1.42565
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue ink with photo on other side.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- John Betjeman Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- picture postcards, 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.
74. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, July 25, 1953
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, July 25, 1953
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer tells Betjeman that he thoroughly enjoyed his last letter. He compares Rossida, Sussex (where he is now) with other areas in Sussex and talks about how he prefers Rossida.
- Subject:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Poets, English, Television journalists, Literature, Modern, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, and Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1953-07-25
- 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 ; 17.75 x 13.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--Sussex
- Coordinates:
- 50.91667, -0.08333
- 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.
75. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, April 11, 1955
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, April 11, 1955
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer thanks Betjeman for his letter, review, and poem about him. Plomer comments on Betjeman appearing in the London Magazine, and congratulates him on his Prize.
- Subject:
- Modernism (Literature), Poets, English, Literature, Modern, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, English, Poets, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Television journalists, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Authors
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1955-04-11
- 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:
- 4 pages ; 17.75 x 13.5 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:
- 2023-07-12
- 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.
76. Letter from Edmund Blunden to John Betjemen, July 07, 1957
- Title:
- Letter from Edmund Blunden to John Betjemen, July 07, 1957
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjemen and Edmund Blunden (English poet, writer, and critic). Blunden writes that he is staying with Siegfried Sassoon, and they both thank Betjeman for the review of "My Poems" in the Daily Telegraph. Has address of "c/o R. Hart-Davis 36 Soho Square London W1" at the top.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Authors, English--Correspondence, Authors, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, Poets, Poets, English, Blunden, Edmund, 1896-1974, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Critics
- Creator:
- Blunden, Edmund, 1896-1974
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1957-07-07
- 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 ; 20.2 x 12.7 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Handwritten in blue ink on two hole punched paper.
- 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.
77. Letter from C. J. Jones to John Betjeman, April 24, 1958
- Title:
- Letter from C. J. Jones to John Betjeman, April 24, 1958
- Description:
- Correspondence between John Betjeman and C. J. Jones. Jones writes Betjeman to let him know that his letter about the proposed improvements to St. Helen's Churchyard will be considered. The Town Clerk, E. W. J. Nicholson, will be seconded for 1 year, but he Jones assures Betjeman that full consultation will happen with the Friends of Abingdon. Also enclosed is Betjeman's reply (April 21, 1958): Betjeman replies that he is concerned about what will happen with the tombstones. He worries that the look of the churchyard will be destroyed if they are re-located.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Authors, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Television journalists, St. Helens Church (Abingdon, England), Poets, English, Authors, English, Modernism (Literature), Jones, C. J., Poets, and Authors, English--Correspondence
- Creator:
- Jones, C. J. and Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Contributor:
- C. J. Jones and Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1958-04-21
- 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 ; 20.3 x 16.5 cm
- Geographic Coverage:
- England--London and England--Abingdon
- Coordinates:
- 51.50853, -0.12574 and 51.67109, -1.28278
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Typescript with "Borough of Abingdon" letterhead. and Typescript 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 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.
78. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, February 03, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, February 03, 1959
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer still isn't sure about going to Cincinnati, so he asks Betjeman to meet for lunch to talk more about it.
- Subject:
- Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Poets, Literature, Modern, Authors, Poets, English, Modernism (Literature), Television journalists, and Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-02-03
- 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:
- 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.
79. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, March 06, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, March 06, 1959
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer hopes to meet Betjeman for lunch soon. In the meantime, someone is going to visit Plomer to do a drawing of him. Plomer is still deciding whether to visit Cincinnati and needs advice from Betjeman. He is also trying to put together a book of collected poems.
- Subject:
- Poets, English, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Literature, Modern, Poets, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, Authors, English, Television journalists, Authors, Authors, English--Correspondence, and Modernism (Literature)
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-03-06
- 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 ; 18 x 13.5 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.
80. Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, March 09, 1959
- Title:
- Letter from William Plomer to John Betjeman, March 09, 1959
- Description:
- Part of a collection of letters to John Betjeman from William Plomer (British poet, novelist and literary editor). Plomer arranges to meet Betjeman for tea at Cloth Fair on the 17th.
- Subject:
- Literature, Modern, Plomer, William, 1903-1973, Television journalists, Modernism (Literature), Poets, Authors, English, Authors, English--Correspondence, Poets, English, Betjeman, John, 1906-1984, and Authors
- Creator:
- Plomer, William, 1903-1973
- Contributor:
- Betjeman, John, 1906-1984
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 1959-03-09
- 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 ; 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.