John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman was a notable British poet and writer. He was Poet Laureate from 1972 until his death in 1984. He was aslo passionate about Victorian architecture and campaigned against the demolition of several notable builidings. His poetry largely has an eye to British middle-class life, particularly the recent past. He was a lifelong Anglican and his religion often comes into his poetry in a light-hearted and occasionally jocular manner. He wrote many poems but one about the conversion of St. Paul highlights his attitude:

But most of us turn slow to see

The figure hanging on a tree
And stumble on and blindly grope
Upheld by intermittent hope,
God grant before we die we all

May see the light as did St. Paul.

His mild and affable manner won him many admirers as television personality, bringing his poetry to an audience of millions.

He was one of the brains behind the hugely successful Shell Guides To Britain and was a regular contributor to the satirical magazine Private Eye for it's architectural column Nooks & Crannies.