Correspondence between Joan Bakewell and Phillip Larkin

Copies of four letters between Joan Bakewell and Phillip Larkin primarily relating to a programme that Joan wanted to do about the post of Poet Laureate

Following the death of John Betjeman on 19 May 1984 there was considerable speculation about who would succeed him as Poet Laureate. Philip Larkin was offered the post in November by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher but he politely declined (see U DPL4/8/44) and the post was subsequently accepted by Ted Hughes.

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Copies donated by Joan Bakewell in September 2003

Copies of this correspondence can also be found amongst the Philip Larkin archive [Ref U DPL] at U DPL2/2/11/84, whilst correspondence with Margaret Thatcher is at U DPL4/8/44