British Eccentrics

Post Reply
storeynicholas

Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:01 pm

Often these people are well known for something important but are also remembered for eccentricity. Here's W Wilkie Collins (friend of Dickens; author of The Woman in White; The Moonstone etc.; opium addict and, although unmarried, the partner of two women during the same period and the father of three children:

Image

NJS
Frog in Suit
Posts: 452
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:42 pm
Contact:

Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:38 pm

Don't you think Betjeman belongs here, as well?

(Thank God for eccentrics.)
marcelo
Posts: 623
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:07 pm
Contact:

Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:48 pm

Frog in Suit wrote:Don't you think Betjeman belongs here, as well?

(Thank God for eccentrics.)
By all means! Betjeman’s habit of carrying a teddy bear throughout Oxford in the 20’s inspired E. Waugh to create Aloysius – S. Flyte's teddy bear. As for Betjeman’s unlaced shoes, mentioned in another tread, please do let us know if you discover anything.
Frog in Suit
Posts: 452
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:42 pm
Contact:

Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:28 am

All I know is that Betjeman's statue in St. Pancras (What a lovely building, that, which he saved from destruction) has untied shoelaces, because (I think) his daughter insisted on it, as being typical of his carelessness in clothes.
The statue is to the left of the station, when one faces the tracks, at platform level.
marcelo
Posts: 623
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:07 pm
Contact:

Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:38 am

Frog in Suit wrote:All I know is that Betjeman's statue in St. Pancras (What a lovely building, that, which he saved from destruction) has untied shoelaces, because (I think) his daughter insisted on it, as being typical of his carelessness in clothes.
The statue is to the left of the station, when one faces the tracks, at platform level.
Cher FiS, thanks for this.

For his song from 1932, N. C. also has a pride of place in this thread:

Image
marcelo
Posts: 623
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:07 pm
Contact:

Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:31 pm

Famous clock at the Eccentric Club.

Image
storeynicholas

Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:06 pm

The revived Eccentric Club is shortly to host a dinner for its illustrious Royal Patron; of which more, anon and, I hope, some pictures!
NJS
Post Reply
  • Information
  • Who is online

    Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests