Search

The John Betjeman Correspondence largely consists of his outgoing correspondence to colleagues, friends, and family between 1936 and 1984. The majority of the correspondence is from Betjeman to his wife Penelope Chetwode between 1942 and 1981. These letters provide insight into the complexities of their relationship and, in spite of their separation and Betjeman's relationship with Elizabeth Cavendish, the deep respect they maintained for each other throughout their lives. Often written in an imitation-cockney and childish accent, Betjeman's letters to Chetwode, or "Plymmie," discuss family members (such as their children Paul and Candida, or "Wibz"), friends, and colleagues and are a window into the couple's personal and professional lives. Other family members represented in the correspondence are his mother Mable Betjeman and Aunt Elsie Avril. Avril's correspondence includes a photograph of Betjeman as a child with his teddy bear Archibald.