Betjeman, << BEHCH uh muhn, >> John (1906-1984), was probably the best-selling English poet of the 1900’s. In 1972, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him poet laureate of England. His works are neither light verse nor completely serious poetry. Betjeman’s best-known poems, including “In Westminster Abbey,” poke gentle fun at the English. Occasionally, when dealing with religion or death, Betjeman was more serious and sympathetic.
Betjeman was born on Aug. 28, 1906, in London. Summoned by Bells (1960) is his verse autobiography. An expert on architecture, he wrote widely on that subject. Queen Elizabeth II knighted Betjeman in 1969, and he became known as Sir John Betjeman. He died on May 19, 1984. His Collected Poems was published in 2006.
