A Passion For Places: England Through the Eyes of John Betjeman

Sir John Betjeman was a Poet Laureate, writer, and campaigner who loved churches and wrote extensively about them. This book highlights his poetic, parochial, and personal response to the built environment, evoking the English parish church through ordinary objects and charm. It celebrates his vision of England and architecture, which deserves to be celebrated anew.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Sir John Betjeman, a distinguished figure who emerged at the dawn of the twentieth century, embarked on a remarkable journey that saw him become Poet Laureate, an accomplished writer, and a passionate campaigner. Throughout his life, Betjeman held a deep affection for churches, which found their way into his poetic creations. In an interview with a journalist in 1955, he expressed his mission as showcasing the beauty of the world around us, enabling individuals to recognize the ugliness that exists. By engaging in a more contemplative and artistic approach to observing things, Betjeman believed that life would become brimming with interest and excitement. However, his unique perspective on churches is at risk of being overshadowed by a more academically driven and forensic art-historical approach.

This book seeks to highlight and celebrate Betjeman's poetic, parochial, and personal response to the built environment. It delves into his evocative portrayal of the English parish church through the ordinary and the charm of hassocks, old incense, and oil lamps. By emphasizing his religious, aesthetic, and social preoccupations, this book serves as both a gazetteer and a commentary on his distinctive vision of England and architecture. It is a celebration of Betjeman's legacy that deserves to be cherished and revisited anew.

Weight: 310g
Dimension: 165 x 234 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445687100