John Betjeman: The Biography

This biography takes the reader from Betjeman's troubled childhood in north London, through his blossoming at Oxford; a gay fling with W. H. Auden; a clandestine marriage to a field marshal's daughter; pranks as a film critic; wartime service and probable espionage in Ireland, to the glory days of his later years when his Collected Poems became a runaway bestseller. This book is a distillation of Bevis Hillier's three-volume biography, authorized by Betjeman himself.

“[Hillier] has unearthed a wealth of detail and anecdote. - Glasgow HeraldHillier's enthralling, many-voiced biography is an awesome achievement. But it is no more than Betjeman's due - John Carey, Sunday TimesFascinating - Humphrey Carpenter, Sunday TimesSharply perceptive ... compelling ... A biography this good abolishes time in its own way, and triumphantly ensures Betjeman's survival - Peter Conrad, ObserverA mosaic in which the true face of the man and his times is revealed - Mail on SundayThe chubbiest, juiciest book of the year' - Barry Humphries, Daily TelegraphStrikes just the right note. - TelegraphAn awe-inspiring piece of scholarship ... Betjeman has had the best and most sympathetic biographer he could have wished for - Artemis Cooper, Evening Standard”

[Hillier] has unearthed a wealth of detail and anecdote. - Glasgow Herald

Hillier's enthralling, many-voiced biography is an awesome achievement. But it is no more than Betjeman's due - John Carey, Sunday Times

Fascinating - Humphrey Carpenter, Sunday Times

Sharply perceptive ... compelling ... A biography this good abolishes time in its own way, and triumphantly ensures Betjeman's survival - Peter Conrad, Observer

A mosaic in which the true face of the man and his times is revealed - Mail on Sunday

The chubbiest, juiciest book of the year' - Barry Humphries, Daily Telegraph

Strikes just the right note. - Telegraph

An awe-inspiring piece of scholarship ... Betjeman has had the best and most sympathetic biographer he could have wished for - Artemis Cooper, Evening Standard

Bevis Hillier has devoted more than twenty-five years to writing Betjeman's life, a task entrusted to him by the poet himself. Like Betjeman he was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford. Later he joined the Times, became editor of The Connoisseur and a columnist on the Los Angeles Times, as well as writing for many other papers and journals. He edited Betjeman's 'Uncollected Poems' 'now included in 'Collected Poems'', compiled 'John Betjeman: A Life in Pictures' and is the author of 'Young Betjeman'. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society of Literature. He lives in Hampshire.

This biography takes the reader from Betjeman's troubled childhood in north London, through his blossoming at Oxford; a gay fling with W. H. Auden; a clandestine marriage to a field marshal's daughter; pranks as a film critic; wartime service and probable espionage in Ireland, to the glory days of his later years when his Collected Poems became a runaway bestseller. This book is a distillation of Bevis Hillier's three-volume biography, authorized by Betjeman himself.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.