When genius and pettiness conspire...and collide.

John Betjeman had a bit of trouble getting into Oxford, but succeeded...His time there was pretty well wasted on his social life.   His lack of commitment to any work was challenged by his young tutor - C S Lewis.

Lewis described Betjeman as "an idle prig" - which he clearly was.

Betejman said of Lewis that he was "unfriendly, demanding, and uninspired as a teacher" - which is just as likely true.


Eventually, Lewis contributed to having Betjeman removed in Michaelmas Term 1928 for hopeless inadequacy.     As should not surprise, the two men had an ill-disguised contempt for each other through their lives.   They were both complex. and in some ways twisted, men.