John Betjeman

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John Betjeman was born on August 28th, 1906, near Highgate, London, John was an only child, and had a lonely childhood, taking comfort from his teddy bear, Archibald.

In 1925, he went up to Magdalen College, Oxford, but he did not complete his degree, having failed a Divinity exam. He went on to become a teacher at Thorpe House School, Gerrard's Cross, before working as a private secretary. In 1930, he became an assistant editor of The Architectural Review.

Like Brandt, in 1943 he worked for the Ministry of Information. By the mid 1950's, he was a well-known figure, making both radio and television appearances, commenting on architecture and campaigning for many threatened buildings.

In 1969, he was knighted, and when Cecil Day Lewis died in 1972, he was made Poet Laureate. John Betjeman died on May 19th 1984, at his home in Trebetherick.