Ted Booth: Hornsey College Poet and Mountaineer Remembered at 87
Ted Booth, a cherished poet and academic whose iconoclasm helped shape Hornsey College of Art into a radical hub during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 87. His life was marked by a profound dedication to creative writing and an adventurous spirit in mountaineering, leaving a lasting legacy in both literary and outdoor communities.
Academic and Literary Contributions
As a lecturer in creative writing, Ted Booth played a pivotal role at Hornsey College of Art, where he taught from 1972 until his retirement in 1998. During this period, the college became synonymous with student protests and innovative teaching methods, largely influenced by figures like Booth. His literary output included five published poetry volumes between 1998 and 2022: Rough Draft (1998), Fair Copy (2010), Lower Second (2017), The Olive Tree (2020), and Abandoned Poems (2022). His work gained recognition, with two poems featured in the 1999 anthology Football: Pure Poetry, alongside renowned poets such as Seamus Heaney and Roger McGough.
Early Life and Career
Born in Belvedere, Kent, Ted grew up in Greenwich, south-east London, attending Colfe's Grammar School and developing a lifelong support for Charlton Athletic. He earned a sociology degree from the London School of Economics and a teaching qualification from the Institute of Education. His career began in special needs education before transitioning to teacher training at institutions like Battersea College of Domestic Science and Shenstone College of Education.
Passions Beyond Poetry
Despite his quiet and cerebral demeanor, Ted Booth led an active life filled with diverse interests. He was an avid mountaineer, mastering skills after a tragic accident in the Peruvian Andes that claimed the lives of friends. By 1997, he had summited all 408 peaks in England and Wales over 2,000 feet, as listed by George Bridge, and later climbed Mynydd Craig Goch at age 71 after its addition to the list. Additionally, he ran 17 marathons, including the inaugural London Marathon in 1981, played Sunday league football and club rugby, and was a committed member of the London Orienteering Klubb.
Retirement and Community Engagement
In retirement in West Hampstead, north-west London, Ted served as poet-in-residence for the Friends of Fortune Green and later as writer in residence for the Friends of West Hampstead Library. To celebrate National Poetry Day, his poems were distributed by volunteers, often delighting and surprising local passersby. His personal life included marriage to fellow climber Janet in 1974, a son from a previous marriage, and two grandchildren.
Ted Booth's multifaceted life, blending academic rigor, poetic expression, and athletic prowess, leaves an indelible mark on those who knew him and the broader cultural landscape.
