John Betjeman
‘This idle prig’: the truth about CS Lewis and John Betjeman’s long-lasting feud
At Oxford, Lewis complained repeatedly in his diary about his student Betjeman’s attitude to work. A newly discovered letter throws light on their mutual antipathy
Dalya Alberge
14, Apr, 2024 @11:00 AM
A return trip to John Betjeman’s Metro-land, 50 years on from his classic TV documentary
The late poet laureate’s hymn to the commuter towns of Middlesex, Herts and Bucks is still a great guide to the Metropolitan line, the world’s first urban ‘underground’ railway
Andrew Martin
30, Nov, 2023 @7:00 AM
John Betjeman dismissed as ‘songster of tennis lawns’ in 1967 search for poet laureate
Records from the National Archive reveal the cut-throat world of British poetry, and the politics behind selecting candidates
Caroline Davies
18, Jul, 2023 @11:01 PM
Betjeman’s Liverpool Street campaign revived in face of new development
Conservationists hope spirit of late poet laureate’s 1970s protest will protect the Victorian station from ‘serious harm’
Matthew Weaver
23, Nov, 2022 @6:08 PM
Jonathan Stedall obituary
Documentary-maker who covered politics, historical figures and great railway journeys in his nearly three decades at the BBC
Anthony Hayward
27, Oct, 2022 @4:44 PM
Five men and one woman who took on impossible job – of poet laureate
Several of the poets appointed by, or inherited by the Queen, had to deal with public mockery. No wonder Philip Larkin turned down the role
Adam Newey
10, Sep, 2022 @10:00 AM
And did those feet: 10 walks inspired by famous poets
Matching rich verse with great scenery, these strolls follow in the footsteps of some of our greatest wordsmiths, from William Blake to Carol Ann Duffy
Kevin Rushby
03, Mar, 2022 @7:00 AM
Top 10 Christmas poems | Allie Esiri
Poets from Thomas Hardy to TS Eliot and Wendy Cope articulate the wonder – and dread – of the festive season
Allie Esiri
22, Dec, 2021 @11:00 AM
Letter: John McGlashan obituary
Edward Mirzoeff writes: He brought a rare sense of poetry and spirituality to his camerawork
Edward Mirzoeff
22, Jul, 2021 @3:53 PM
John McGlashan obituary
Other Lives: Cinematographer who worked with directors such as Ken Russell, John Schlesinger and Ken Loach
Emerson Bramwell
26, Apr, 2021 @6:13 PM
From fan mail to fiction: the letters from famous authors that made me a writer
As a schoolgirl Julie Myerson wrote to the likes of Daphne du Maurier and John Betjeman. Here, she reveals how their generous replies shaped the person she became
Julie Myerson
27, Apr, 2019 @3:00 PM
Wanted: one royal versifier – an interest in trees and homeopathy an advantage | Catherine Bennett
With Carol Ann Duffy bowing out as poet laureate, others are courting the honour
Catherine Bennett
10, Nov, 2018 @6:59 PM
1 / 7 pages