John Betjeman, John Betjeman (Read by)

John Betjeman In His Own Words

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Summary

In this fascinating collection of interviews from the BBC radio and TV archive, John Betjeman (Poet Laureate 1972) talks about his life and career as one of the foremost poets of the 20th Century.

The interviews included are: Asian Club, broadcast on BBC Radio, 7 July 1959 (featuring Arthur Russell and studio audience); People of Today, broadcast on BBC Radio, 24 December 1959 (featuring Irene Slade); Omnibus, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 November 1972 (featuring unnamed interviewer); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 17 February 1973 (featuring Michael Parkinson); Desert Island Discs, broadcast on BBC Radio, 12 April 1975 (featuring Roy Plomley); Parkinson, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 November 1977 (featuring Michael Parkinson); John Betjeman: A Tribute, broadcast on BBC TV, 5 June 1984 (featuring unnamed interviewers); Time Enough! Or Not Enough Time, broadcast on BBC TV, 8 May 1994 (featuring Jonathan Steadall).

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

©2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

About the author

John Betjeman

John Betjeman was born in 1906 and educated at Marlborough and Oxford. He was best-known and loved as a poet and received many of the major British literary prizes: the Royal Society of Literature Award under the Heinemann Bequest; the annual Foyle Poetry Prize (twice); and the Duff Cooper Memorial Prize. Betjeman was a founder of the British Victorian Society, he was a well-known broadcaster and journalist as well as a leading authority on architecture and topographical subjects. In 1960 he was given the CBE; in 1969 he was knighted by the Queen; and in 1972 he was appointed Poet Laureate. He died in 1984.

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