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British Eccentrics

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:01 pm
by storeynicholas
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:

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NJS

Re: British Eccentrics

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:38 pm
by Frog in Suit
Don't you think Betjeman belongs here, as well?

(Thank God for eccentrics.)

Re: British Eccentrics

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:48 pm
by marcelo
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.

Re: British Eccentrics

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:28 am
by Frog in Suit
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.

Re: British Eccentrics

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:38 am
by marcelo
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:

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Re: British Eccentrics

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 5:31 pm
by marcelo
Famous clock at the Eccentric Club.

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Re: British Eccentrics

Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:06 pm
by storeynicholas
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