Sir John Betjeman, CBE

...was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".

He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture. Starting his career as a journalist, he ended it as one of the most popular British Poets Laureate to date and a much-loved figure on British television.

Sir John Betjeman was born "John Betjemann". His parents, were Mabel (née Dawson) and Ernest Betjemann.

He changed his name to the less German-looking "Betjeman" during the First World War.