John Betjeman was by far the most popular poet of the twentieth century. His collected poems sold over two million copies. Television audiences loved his quirky evocations of landcsape and architecture.
As Poet Laureate, he became a national icon, but behind the public man were doubts and demons. The poet best known for writing hymns of praise to athletic middle-class girls on the tennis courts led a tempestuous emotional life. For much of his fifty year marriage to Penelope Chetwode, the daughter of a Field Marshal, Betjeman had a relationship with Elizabeth Cavendish, the daughter of the Duke of Devonshire and Lady in Waiting to Princess Margaret. Betjeman, a devout Anglican, was tormented by guilt about the storms this emotional triangle caused.
This book is the first to use fully the vast archive of personal material relating to Betjeman's private life, including literally hundreds of letters written by his wife about their life together and apart. Here too are chronicled his many friendships,ranging from 'Bosie' Douglas to the young satirists of Private Eye, from the Mitford sisters to the Crazy Gang. This is a celebration of a much-loved poet, a brave campaigner for architecture at risk, and a highly popular public performer. Betjeman was the classic example of the melancholy clown, whose sadness found its perfect mood-music in the hymns of a poignant Anglicanism.
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. This copy is in mint condition bound in green cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling to the spine. This copy is bright, tight, white and square. There is a neat inscription to the half title. The price clipped dust wrapper is in mint condition International postal rates are calculated on a book weighing 1 Kilo, in cases where the book weighs more than 1 Kilo increased postal rates will be quoted, where the book weighs less then postage will be reduced accordingly. This life of John Betjeman is by an award-winning biographer, published to mark the centenary of the poet's birth. John Betjeman was by far the most popular poet of the twentieth century. His collected poems sold over two million copies. Television audiences loved his quirky evocations of landscape and architecture. As Poet Laureate, he became a national icon, but behind the public man were doubts and demons. The poet, best known for writing hymns of praise to athletic middle-class girls on the tennis courts, led a tempestuous emotional life. For much of his fifty year marriage to Penelope Chetwode, the daughter of a Field Marshal, Betjeman had a relationship with Elizabeth Cavendish, the daughter of the Duke of Devonshire and Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret. Betjeman, a devout Anglican, was tormented by guilt about the storms this emotional triangle caused. This book is the first to use fully the vast archive of personal material relating to Betjeman's private life, including literally hundreds of letters written by his wife about their life together and apart. Here too are chronicled his many friendships, ranging from Bosie Douglas to the young satirists of Private Eye, from the Mitford sisters to the Crazy Gang. This is a celebration of a much-loved poet, a brave campaigner for architecture at risk, and a highly popular public performer. Ref III 5. Seller Inventory # 027748
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. SIGNED - First Edition stated, with correct number line sequence, no writing, marks, underlining, or bookplates. Signed on the title page by A.N. Wilson. Former owner's name on inside ffep.No remainder marks. Spine is tight and crisp. Boards are flat and true and the corners are square. Dust jacket is not price-clipped. This collectible, " NEW" condition signed first edition/first printing copy is protected with a polyester archival dust jacket cover. Beautiful signed collectible copy. Unread. Pristine. GIFT QUALITY. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 007131
Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition. Seller Inventory # bk0091797020xvz189zvxnew