1914

c. 23 (or 26*) October 1914

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #1

Written during Tolkiens final undergraduate year at Oxford. Describes his studies and social interactions. Note on the dating of this letter: Humphrey C...

27 November 1914

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #2

Writing to Edith, Tolkien describes his day. He had dinner with a man called Earp (T.W. Earp, the Secretary of the Exeter College Essay Club) and attend...

1915

26 November 1915

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #3

Written while Tolkien was training as part of the Lancashire Fusiliers. He is working on his poem Kotirion among the Trees and mentions sending it to th...

1916

2 March 1916

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt  Letters #4

A short extract where Tolkien mentions his nonsense fairy language, referring to it as such a mad hobby! Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that ...

12 August 1916

J.R.R. Tolkien to G. B. Smith  Letters #5

Tolkien has learned about the death of his close friend Rob Gilson - one of the four members of the TCBS and writes a long letter about how he feels the...

1923

13 February 1923

J.R.R. Tolkien to E. M. Wright  Letters #6

Tolkien writes to the wife of Joseph Wright (editor of the English Dialect Dictionary and whom Tolkien had studied philology with at Oxford) thanking he...

1925

27 June 1925

J.R.R. Tolkien to [University of Oxford Electors]  Letters #7

Tolkien applies for the position of Professorship of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He describes his schooling and his time at Leeds University as Re...

22 July 1925

J.R.R. Tolkien to Vice Chancellor of Leeds University  Letters #8

Tolkien has been elected to the Rawlinson & Bosworth professorship at Oxford and must therefore resign his position at Leeds. His posting takes effect f...

1937

4 January 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall  Letters #9

Tolkien details work he has recently completed on maps for The Hobbit, as well as other suggestions. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that ther...

17 January 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #10

Tolkien discusses the details of, and placement within the text, some of his illustrations in The Hobbit, as well as potential changes to his illustrati...

5 February 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall  Letters #11

Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall of GA&U on matters of the reproductions of some of his illustrations in The Hobbit. In the 2023 revised edition of Lett...

13 April 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #12

Concerning Tolkiens corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his submi...

13 May 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #13

Some of Tolkiens thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA as well as thoughts on American culture in general. Assumed ALS based on...

28 May 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #14

Concerning the publication date of The Hobbit in the UK as well as some potentially early reviews of the book. Also Tolkiens reservations about his thou...

31 August 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin)  Letters #15

Tolkien enclosed the last of his coloured illustrations for the American edition of The Hobbit. He asked Allen & Unwin to forward it to Houghton Mifflin...

3 October 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #16

Tolkien thanks Michael for keeping an eye of Christopher. He says that Chris will make a mess of things to start, but he will settle in and be of no fur...

15 October 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #17

Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he suspected that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Liter...

23 October 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #18

Originally published as just a fragment of a thank you letter to Stanley Unwin who had written that Tolkien was one of those rare people with genius. In...

16 December 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #19

Regarding Tolkiens next project after The Hobbit. He had previously discussed The Father Christmas Letters with Unwin and passed him manuscript of the Q...

19 December 1937

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J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #20

I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits – A long expected party. One page reproduced in the Silver Anniversary booklet and the G...

1938

1 February 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #21

Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, gauging Rayner Unwins interest in reading the sequel to The Hobbit. In the revised 2023 edition of ...

4 February 1938

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J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #22

Tolkien sends his publisher a copy of ‘A Long-expected Party’, the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings. He also encloses errata for The Hobbit fo...

17 February 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #23

The publishers were again considering the publication of Mr Bliss, which had previously languished due to the complexity of the illustrations, but Tolki...

18 February 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #24

Tolkien thanked Unwins son Rayner for his positive criticism of A Long-expected Party, but regretted that he has still not progressed past this first ch...

20 February 1938

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Editor of the Observer  Letters #25

On 16 January 1938 the Observer newspaper published a letter asking about the The Hobbits links to Beowulf and other branches of mythology, as well as t...

4 March 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #26

Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin about C.S. Lewiss Out of the Silent Planet and gives his progress on the sequel to The Hobbit. He also mentions a letter...

12 March 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.  Letters #27

Houghton Mifflin seemed to have asked Tolkien for drawings of Hobbits for some future edition of The Hobbit. Tolkien stated that such drawings should be...

4 June 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #28

On 1 June Unwin had told Tolkien that approximately 3,000 copies of the American edition of The Hobbit had been sold. In April, the book had been awarde...

24 July 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #31

The Hobbit should have come out in 1938 instead of 1937, said Tolkien, because in 1939 he would have the time and mood to write the sequel. Current work...

25 July 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #29

Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin concerning a request made by Rütten & Loening Verlag. This German publishing house had enquired about a possible German ...

25 July 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rütten & Loening Verlag  Letters #30

Rütten & Loening Verlag, a German publisher, had enquired about the possibility of a translation of The Hobbit, and asked about his ancestry and Aryan-...

27 July 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to John Masefield  Letters #32

Masefield invited Tolkien to impersonate Chaucer in Oxford’s 1938 Summer Diversions to recite the Nun’s Priest’s Tale. With the invitation were so...

31 August 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #33

Unspecified troubles led to the edge of a breakdown for Tolkien and he had been ordered by a doctor to rest. He had gotten Farmer Giles of Ham typed and...

13 October 1938

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #34

Tolkien stated that he had worked very hard for a month on the sequel to The Hobbit and had reached Chapter XI. He was thoroughly engrossed in it with a...

1939

2 February 1939

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #35

Tolkien reported that the new story, The Lord of the Rings, had reached Chapter 12 and over 300 pages of manuscript. He foresaw at least 200 more pages ...

10 February 1939

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth  Letters #36

Tolkien had received a royalty check sent by Furth on February 8th for The Hobbit and he thanked him for it, calling it a tonic since he had the influen...

19 December 1939

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #37

Tolkien had agreed to write a forward to a revision by C.L. Wrenn of Clark Hall’s translation of Beowulf but had not answered several inquiries about ...

1940

30 March 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #38

Allen & Unwin had sent a letter on 27 March desperately asking for the promised forward to Clark Hall’s Beowulf, even if it was just a word or two. An...

29 September 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #39

Tolkien told his son Michael of two women, mother and daughter-in-law, who were staying with the Tolkiens during the Blitz. They went back to London tha...

6 October 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #40

Michael Tolkien volunteered for army service in September 1939. He was told to spend one year at a university and then enlist. He entered Trinity Colleg...

1941

2 January 1941

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #41

Tolkien told Michael that, now that his correspondence was in order, he could finally work on The Lord of the Rings again... for a short while, as the n...

12 January 1941

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #42

J.R.R. Tolkien sent Michael many letters while he convalesced in a Worcester hospital. In this letter, Tolkien chatted about the weather and an amusing ...

6-8 March 1941

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #43

Tolkien considered three ways by which men dealt with women: purely physical relationships, friendly relationships, and loving relationships. A purely p...

18 March 1941

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #44

Tolkien told Michael of his mothers family, who were from Worcestershire. Mabel - to whom Michael owed much - was beautiful and full of wit, but died to...

9 June 1941

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #45

One war is enough for any man, declared Tolkien, and he hoped Michael would be spared a second. He knew what Michael was suffering through. When he was ...

26 November 1941

J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chapman  Letters #46

R. W. Chapman, Secretary to the Delegates of the Oxford University Press, asked Tolkien for reminiscences about George S. Gordon (to possibly be include...

1942

7 December 1942

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #47

Unwin had written to say that Foyle’s bookshop in London would be issuing The Hobbit as part of their Childrens Book club, which enabled Allen and Unw...

1943

20 April 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis  Letters #48

Lewis had been traveling around England giving talks on Christian religion to RAF stations and had become ill. Tolkien was sorry to hear that Lewis had ...

April 1943*

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis  Letters #49

Tolkien began by stating that he had never been happy about Lewiss view of Christian policy regarding divorce, although he could not before say why. He ...

25 October 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #50

Tolkien describes how the trees look this time of year, and mentions that he will be meeting C.E.B. Joad the next night for dinner, hosted by C.S. Lewis...

27 October 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #51

Tolkien describes meeting C.E.B. Joad the night before at dinner with C.S. Lewis, and talks a bit about Joads visit to Russia. The dinner is described i...

29 November 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #52

Tolkien claimed that his political opinions leaned increasingly to Anarchy (philosophically understood) or to unconstitutional Monarchy. He would arrest...

9 December 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #53

Tolkien was sickly amused that the bloodthirsty murderer Josef Stalin invited all nations to join to abolish tyranny and intolerance. Tolkien thought th...

1944

8 January 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #54

Tolkien offers Christopher advice on prayer and to remember his guardian angel. He reminds him to use praises, and says of them if you have these by hea...

18 January 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #55

Tolkien related local news, of which the most personally memorable was a stay in an air raid warden room. Referring to the number one at the beginning o...

1 March 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #56

Tolkien mentions the return of the Useless Quack, Robert Havard, who had joined the Navy medical corps and was on leave in Oxford. He then told of C.S. ...

30 March 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #57

Tolkien had seen the Lewis brothers the day before and lunched with C.S. Lewis. The indefatigable Lewis read part of a new story and put pressure on him...

3 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #58

Tolkien told a story about finding himself in a carriage with an R.A.F. officer and a very nice young American Officer. A stroll around Tolkiens hometow...

5 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #59

Tolkien reported seriously trying to finish his book, staying up late, re-reading and doing research. It was painfully sticky getting into the swing aga...

13 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #60

Christopher had arrived in his training camp in South Africa and letters were beginning to flow again between him and his father. Tolkien missed his son...

18 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #61

Tolkien had always opposed Christopher’s choice of service but at least he would be spared active service on the ground. Tolkien was glad his son got ...

23 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #62

Tolkien had read his second chapter, Passage of the Dead Marshes, to Lewis and Williams and reported that they approved of it. He was nearly done with a...

24 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #63

Tolkien had had the uncommon luxury of lying a-bed with toast, home-made marmalade, and Christophers recent letter. He had gotten only broken sleep due ...

30 April 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #64

Tolkien missed his son and said that war was an utter stupid waste – materially, morally, and spiritually. Although the products of worldwide anguish ...

4 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #65

Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and read another chapter. He said he would soon send Christopher copies.

6 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #66

Tolkien expressed some comments about the slow airgraph system. The Professor and his son wrote a lot, but since their letters arrived late, they could ...

11 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #67

Tolkien reported to Christopher about various every day affairs, including meetings with C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams and R.B. McCallum. He had found so...

12 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #68

Tolkien spent a morning writing and was within sight of Minas Morghul. He had not gotten new copies typed to send to Christopher because he was pushing ...

14 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #69

Tolkien had written a certain amount of The Lord of the Rings the day before but he had been hindered by needing to clean up his study and dealing with ...

21 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #70

Tolkien had had the advantage of a bitterly cold week in which to write, but had struck a sticky patch. Everything sketched or written before was of lit...

25 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #71

Letters from Christopher had poured in and Tolkien envied his sons stationing in Africa, which stirred a curious sense of reminiscence in him. Tolkien h...

31 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #72

Tolkien had been to an Inklings meeting where a chapter of Warnie Lewiss book on Louis XIV had been heard, along with some excerpts from C.S. Lewiss Who...

10 June 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #73

Tolkien reported that a great deal had happened at his end of the world. He expected that Christopher knew as much as he did, except that Tolkien mentio...

29 June 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #74

On 22 June Unwin sent Tolkien a substantial cheque for royalties on The Hobbit and let him know that his son Rayner Unwin was reading English at Oxford ...

7 July 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #75

Tolkien wrote this letter in midget type. He explained that although he had written recently he had a great desire to communicate. He had been shopping ...

28 July 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #76

Tolkien assured his son that he would not dream of altering Samwise Gamgees name without his approval, but the object of altering it was to bring out th...

31 July 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #77

Tolkien reports in a newly published portion that he had received Christophers airletter of 24 July. He says that his day on Friday was “grim”, as h...

12 August 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #78

Tolkien told his son that he carefully read his letters and that it was right for him to open his troubled heart, but not to think that any part of his ...

22 August 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #79

Kroonstad, said Tolkien, was a real product of current English culture. Johannesburg is what it would like to be. Tolkien predicted that in twenty years...

3 September 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #80

Tolkien told Christopher of his attempts to teach Priscilla the meaning of G.K. Chestertons The Ballad of the White Horse.

23-25 September 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #81

Christopher had sent back, with approval, several chapters of The Lord of the Rings that his father had sent. Tolkien was pleased and planned to send th...

30 September 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #82

Tolkien had just returned from a very poor production of Arms and the Man. While at the theatre he saw C. Williams with the lady who was typing Ring and...

6 October 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #83

In a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien remarks on what a wonderful week it has been for letters from Christopher. He hopes that letters fro...

12 October 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #84

Tolkien began writing The Lord of the Rings again but hit an error in synchronizing the movements of Frodo and the others. It took a day or two to figur...

16 October 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #85

Tolkien reported struggling with the dislocated chronology of the Ring, which had interfered with other urgent and duller duties and had stopped his wri...

23 October 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #86

Tolkien told Christopher that he was bored and tired, and then discussed the topic blasphemy.

25 October 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #87

Along with this letter Tolkien sent two more chapters of the Ring to Christopher for his delectation and criticism. Since he thought the packet would no...

28 October 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #88

Tolkien lamented the fading of an empty year into darkness and wondered what the new year would bring.

7-8 November 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #89

Christopher had referred to the care of his guardian angel was being held. Tolkien then gave a detailed description of his experience and his meditation...

24 November 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #90

Tolkien and Edith had been amused by Christopher Tolkiens account of the Wings Ceremony. He wondered how his son had seen and remembered a quotation fro...

29 November 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #91

Tolkien sent Christopher the last two chapters of the Fourth Book, where it would be seen that Tolkien had gotten the hero into such a fix that not even...

18 December 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #92

In a newly published portion, Tolkien says that today is the last day for Christmas post arriving in time for Christmas and laments the way the holiday ...

24 December 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #93

Tolkien was happy that Christopher had enjoyed the next three chapters of the Ring and told him new consignments should reach him about 10 December and ...

28 December 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #94

Tolkien was happy that Christopher had sent many letters and that more of Ring had arrived. His son liked it even though it seemed to have added to his ...

1945

18 January 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #95

Tolkien enthused about reading Stentons Anglo-Saxon England. Tolkien hoped his son could one day delve into the story of the origins of their peculiar p...

30 January 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #96

Tolkien met Lewis at the Mitre for warmth and beer, where he received a telephone call informing him that Professor H.C. Wyld had died. This left Tolkie...

11 February 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #97

Tolkien reports wasting time writing a letter to the Catholic Herald (published as The Name Coventry). A sentimentalist correspondent had written about ...

Undated (circa 18 March 1945)

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #98

Stanley Unwins elder son David had read Leaf by Niggle, called it exquisite, and suggested that it be published with other short stories by Tolkien. Unw...

15 May 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Florence (Michal) Williams  Letters #99

Tolkien sent his heart out in sympathy. He had grown to admire and love her husband and was more grieved than he could express. Father Gervase Mathew wo...

29 May 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #100

Christopher had returned from South Africa and was stationed with the R.A.F. in Shropshire. He hoped to transfer to the Fleet Air Arm. J.R.R. Tolkien wo...

3 June 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #101

The Civil Defense was staging a stand-down parade and Tolkien said he would drag himself to it. But he felt it was a mockery.

9 August 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #102

Tolkien commented on the Atomic bombs, and denounced such tactics as utter folly.Tolkien ended the fragment with the statement that we are all in Gods h...

11 October 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #103

After being elected to the Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature, Tolkien became a Professorial Fellow of Merton College. After being ...

22 October 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #104

For the first time Tolkien dined at the Merton high table, which had been very agreeable but odd. The dons met, chatted amiably, and when enough were th...

1946

21 July 1946

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #105

Unwin had been knighted and asked about progress on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien, addressing him as Sir Stanley, felt he had treated him badly and sai...

30 September 1946

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #106

Allen and Unwin were enthusiastic about Farmer Giles of Ham but asked if more stories could be provided to fill up a volume. Tolkien was delighted that ...

7 December 1946

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #107

Tolkien reported receiving letters from Horus Engels about a German translation of The Hobbit, although he seemed he was not proposing himself as the tr...

1947

5 July 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #108

Tolkien returned his revised manuscript of Farmer Giles of Ham, having made many alterations which he hoped and thought were for the better. He pointed ...

31 July 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #109

A fair typescript of Book I of The Fellowship of the Ring had been given to Rayner Unwin and on 28 July 1947 he had sent his comments to Tolkien. Rayner...

20 September 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #110

The Houghton Mifflin Co. asked Allen and Unwin for permission to use several riddles from The Hobbit in a poetry anthology. Allen and Unwin suggested to...

21 September 1947

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #111

Tolkien stated that he had written a letter to Unwin on the last day of July but had laid it aside since it seemed too much of a bother about his works....

30 November 1947

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #112

Katharine Farrer, an Oxford-based detective author, had apparently asked for her copy of The Hobbit to be signed. Instead, Tolkien wrote her a note in R...

1948

25 January 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis  Letters #113

Apparently Tolkien and Lewis had been corresponding about Tolkiens criticisms of something Lewis had read aloud to the Inklings. This may have been part...

7 April 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #114

Brogan had read The Hobbit, and inquired about the world it played in. Tolkien informed him about Farmer Giles of Ham and the unfinished The Silmarillio...

15 June [?1948]

J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #115

Tolkien was touched and excited by a kind letter Mrs. Farrer had sent to him. Although he had worked on these things since 1914 only C.S. Lewis and his ...

5 August 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #116

Allen and Unwin had chosen Milein Cosman to illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham and, after many delays, sent Tolkien samples for his opinion. Tolkien was not...

31 October 1948

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #117

Tolkien told Brogan that he had gone into retreat in the summer and had successfully concluded The Lord of the Rings. It had been read and approved by R...

25 December 1948

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #118

Tolkien sent Hugh Brogan Christmas greetings in a note with three inscriptions. The first was a form of Angerthas not quite matching the dwarf-runes of ...

1949

28 February 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #119

Tolkien declared that he did not have the time to retype Farmer Giles and did not think it necessary. Typing a fair copy of The Lord of the Rings was a ...

16 March 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #120

Pauline Baynes had been contracted to illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien had not seen her pictures until the day before. He wrote to say that he wa...

13 July 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #121

Tolkien had referred to further legends of the Little Kingdom in the Foreword to of Farmer Giles of Ham in case he ever wrote more. But Georgius and Sue...

18 December 1949

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Naomi Mitchison  Letters #122

A two page letter (single 5.5 x 7 inch sheet, both sides) in response to Mrs. Mitchisons praise of Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien mentions that FG was rea...

1950

5 February 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman  Letters #123

Tolkien writes to Milton Waldman of the Collins Publishing co., who he had been introduced to in 1949. Waldman had been interested in publishing the Sil...

24 February 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #124

Allen and Unwin sent Tolkien an enquiry from a Mr. Selby asking if he had written an Authentic History of Faery. After explaining that he had been busy ...

10 March 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #125

Tolkien said that a work of great length could be artificially divided, such as when the Oxford Dictionary had sections labeled Onomastical – Outing. ...

10 March 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman  Letters #126

Unwin wants to break up Tolkiens monstrous Saga, and Tolkien hopes Unwin will let the project go so Tolkien can publish The Lord of the Rings and The Si...

14 April 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #127

Relations between Tolkien and Allen & Unwin had begun to become strained as Tolkien felt that A&U were not open to publishing his work as he would have ...

1 August 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #128

In July, Tolkien was sent proofs for a new edition of The Hobbit. Along with minor corrections, the new version of Chapter 5, Riddles in the Dark had be...

10 September 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #129

For the new edition of The Hobbit, Tolkiens publishers asked for the precise wording for a note that explained the changes. People who had read both ver...

14 September 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #130

Tolkien had, by way of example, sent in a new version of the chapter Riddles in the Dark, which Allen & Unwin included in the second edition of The Hobbit.

1951

1951 (late)

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman  Letters #131

Tolkien noted that Waldman had asked for a brief sketch of his imaginary world. He said it was difficult to say anything without saying too much: the at...

1952

10 February 1952

J.R.R. Tolkien to Father John Tolkien  Letters #132

Tolkien writes to his son John about a meal that he had with Lewis, which they called the ham-feast.

22 June 1952

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #133

Rayner Unwin had written to Tolkien about Errantry and this gave Tolkien an opportunity to see if he could get The Lord of the Rings published by George...

29 August 1952

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #134

Tolkien was anxious to publish The Lord of the Rings as soon as possible as he thought it a great but not flawless work. He only had one copy that he da...

24 October 1952

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #135

A printer had estimated that to recover costs The Lord of the Rings would have to be priced at £3 10s at a minimum and would cost more if divided into ...

1953

24 March 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #136

Following Allen & Unwins decision to publish The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien wrote that he could not make it by the agreed upon dead-line (March 25). Edi...

11 April 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #137

Tolkien had meant to write to Rayner sooner and apologized that it was already eleven days into April. At last Tolkien had completed Part I of The Lord ...

4 August 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #138

Galley-proofs of Volume I of The Lord of the Rings were sent to Tolkien in mid-July. Tolkien told his son that they had proven a bore. They were endless...

8 August 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #139

Tolkien was told that it was desirable to have separate titles for each of the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, referring to Tolkiens 24 March le...

17 August 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #140

Rayner Unwin had just visited Tolkien, and he thanked Rayner for coming and clearing things up. For the volumes of The Lord of the Rings Tolkien suggest...

9 October 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #141

The maps were essential and urgent but Tolkien could not get them done. Enormous time had been spent without profit due to lack of skill plus being harr...

2 December 1953

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray  Letters #142

Robert Murray had offered Tolkien some thought on The Lord of the Rings to which Tolkien replies. Tolkien was pleased by Murrays words of encouragement ...

1954

22 January 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #143

Tolkien told Rayner Unwin he would send Book III, the first part of Volume II, carefully corrected. Book IV would follow later.

25 April 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #144

Naomi Mitchison had a number of questions about the first two volumes of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien began the letter by thanking her for all her let...

13 May 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #145

Tolkien said that the Americans were not very amenable to criticism, but he thought their effort so poor that he had to make some effort to improve it. ...

3 June 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd, [to Ronald Eames]  Letters #146

The Production Department had asked Tolkien to approve the design of the dust-jacket for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien thought his opinion of the jacke...

15 June 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #147

The publishers altered the design of the dust-jacket for The Lord of the Rings in light of Tolkiens objections in Letter 146. Tolkien had received his a...

7 August 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #148

Tolkien acknowledged that misprints still existed in Volume I, but nasturtians was deliberate and represented a final triumph over the high-handed print...

9 September 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #149

Tolkien found that the reviews were a great deal better than he had feared. They might have been better if quoting Ariosto had been avoided or without c...

18 September 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #150

Tolkien regretted that no copy for the Appendices had been sent. He was doing his best to produce them before the end of the month. His index had reache...

18 September 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #151

Tolkien opined that part of the fascination with The Lord of the Rings was the incomplete vistas of legend and history. Brogan preferred goblins to orcs...

23 September 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall  Letters #152

Heppenstall asked what dialect the speakers should adopt for the radio program The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelms Son. Tolkien replied that none ...

25 September 1954

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #154

Tolkien explained why he had not written long before: he had been plagued by business, troubles, illness, and journeys. Mitchison was the only commentat...

25 September 1954

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #155

Tolkien feared that he had been far too casual about magic and the use of the word, although criticism by Galadriel and others of the mortal use of the ...

27-30 September 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Hastings  Letters #153

Peter Hastings was the manager of the (Catholic) Newman Bookshop in Oxford. He wrote to Tolkien expressing enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings but heav...

4 November 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray  Letters #156

Tolkien thanked Murray for his letter that contained comments on The Lord of the Rings. One of the reasons he could answer at once was because he had fi...

27 November 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #157

Tolkien felt very mean, knowing that Katharine Farrer had been ill and troubled, and he had not communicated with her at all despite good intentions. He...

2 December 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #158

Tolkien said that Houghton Mifflins The Two Towers blurb must have been written by someone who had not read the book, but relied on hearsay inaccurately...

1955

3 March 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Dora Marshall  Letters #159

Tolkien stated that it took several years to get The Lord of the Rings published. He found it an unfailing delight to find his belief justified: that th...

6 March 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #160

Allen and Unwin were pressing for the remainder of the Appendices. Rayner Unwin wrote (on 2 March) that unless it arrived soon they would have to yield ...

14 April 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #161

The map is hell, proclaimed Tolkien, saying that he had not been careful with distances and that the large scale map simply revealed all the chinks in t...

18 April 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #162

Christopher Tolkien had beautifully re-drawn Tolkiens draft-map of the area with which Volume III was concerned.

7 June 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to W. H. Auden  Letters #163

Tolkien responded that he wrote the Trilogy for personal satisfaction since there was a scarcity of this sort of literature that he wanted to read. He w...

29 June 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #164

Tolkien complained of having more work that he could cope with, plus the work on Vol. III. He was feeling as flat as a burst tire but might revive if th...

30 June 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.  Letters #165

Out of sheet pity for any new enquirer, Tolkien enclosed a few notes in his letter for Houghton Mifflin. He stated that his name is TOLKIEN and not –k...

22 July 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #166

Tolkien informed the publishers that he had returned material sent to him but that it may have missed that day’s post. He realized that time was short...

15 August 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher & Faith Tolkien  Letters #167

Tolkien described his vacation to Italy with Priscilla. They went to Assisi and Venice.

7 September 1955

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery  Letters #168

Richard Jeffery, an Oxford student, had some etymological queries. Tolkien replied late, because he was on vacation in Italy (as described in Letter 167...

11 September 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #169

Hugh Brogan discovered the word Numinor in C.S. Lewis That Hideous Strength, and asked Tolkien about it.

18 September 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #171

Tolkien dismissed Brogans self-accusations of impertinency and sycophancy and said that anyone so appreciative and perceptive is entitled to criticism. ...

30 September 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)  Letters #170

Tolkien in writing to Philip Unwin says that the reader is correct, Tolkien had to extend the Entmoot to fit everything in. He also asks if The Return o...

12 October 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)  Letters #172

Allen and Unwin proposed 20 October 1955 as the publication date for The Return of the King. Tolkien beseeched them not to fail; it was the last possibl...

24 October 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #173

Tolkien told of the publishing of The Return of the King on October 20 and the ODonnell lecture due on October 21.

10 November 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury  Letters #174

Lord Halsbury had suggested to Tolkien that if Allen and Unwin were unwilling to publish The Silmarillion commercially, perhaps it could be published by...

30 November 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Molly Waldron  Letters #175

Tolkien comments on the first episodes of the radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings that was airing at the time. Tolkien was less than happy. He cal...

?December 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Straight  Letters #181

Tolkien thanked Mr. Straight for his letter but asked if he had enjoyed The Lord of the Rings, which was written to amuse, as in to be readable. He stre...

8 December 1955

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #176

After a holiday in Italy Tolkien returns and writes to Naomi Mitchison, a fellow novelist and his proofreader. Tolkien discusses the demands on his time...

8 December 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #177

Although Tolkien agreed with the critics view of the radio adaptations of The Lord of the Rings he was annoyed when this group that had not read the boo...

12 December 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #178

Tolkien described his inspiration for the Shire; that of a Warwickshire village around the time of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria (1897). Additio...

14 December 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #179

Brogan had previously sent Tolkien a letter containing criticism that, in hindsight, he thought was stupid and tactless. Tolkien replied to him that he ...

1956

14 January 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Thompson  Letters #180

Tolkien said he recognized the arrogance of his self-imposed task of restoring to the English an epic tradition and mythology and found it wonderful tha...

?Late January 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Notes on W. H. Auden’s review of The Return of the King  Letters #183

Middle-earth was not an imaginary world, stated Tolkien. It was a modernized form of the 13th century midden-erd, the abiding place of Men and their obj...

18 March 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Sam Gamgee  Letters #184

Following the 1955 radio series of The Lord of the Rings, a Tooting resident named Sam Gamgee wrote to Tolkien on March 13, 1956. On March 18, Tolkien r...

19 March 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #185

Tolkien commented on Letter 184, from a Sam Gamgee of Tooting. The last fragment of the letter commented on Allen & Unwins prognosis for book sales, ext...

April 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Joanna de Bortadano  Letters #186

Joanna De Bortadano had asked Tolkien whether The Lord of the Rings was an allegory of Atomic power. Tolkien told her it was not; if there was any power...

3 April 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.  Letters #188

Allen & Unwin had signed an agreement to publish a Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings, and asked for Tolkiens approval. Tolkien wrote them that ...

11 April 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to M. Wilson  Letters #189

Tolkien responded to a reader, Mrs. M. Wilson, who had apparently told him of the interest The Lord of the Rings received from children.

16 April 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin  Letters #187

Tolkien describes himself as a philologist, and sometime calligrapher. An index of Elvish names was intended to be produced, noting that his specialist ...

?Late June or July 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.  Letters #182

Tolkien vowed to publish parts of his great history, if he was allowed. Because of the surprising success of The Lord of the Rings he expected the prior...

3 July 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #190

Tolkien had been sent a list of translations to the nomenclature for the first translation of The Lord of the Rings, into Dutch by Max Schuchart. Tolkie...

26 July 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss J. Burn  Letters #191

Tolkien urged Burns to re-read all passages dealing with Frodo and the Ring. She would see that it was quite impossible for him to surrender the Ring at...

27 July 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #192

Tolkien told Ronald that he had just gotten another letter about Frodos failure (see Letter 191). Few had observed it, he said, but from the logic of th...

2 November 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller  Letters #193

Tiller, adapting and producing the BBC Third Program version of The Lord of the Rings, had written to Tolkien asking for advice on accents. Tolkien took...

6 November 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller  Letters #194

Tolkien had made two rapid readings of three episodes sent to him by Tiller and decided to make some comments before it was too late. He did not offer c...

15 December 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #195

Tolkien told Miss Ronald that Frodo did not like weapons, but was not a pacifist in modern terms. Tolkien went on to tell Miss Ronald of his Catholicism...

1957

21 March 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #196

Tolkien believed that Mrs Farrer had been much concerned about Jack Lewis’s troubles. Tolkien knew little beyond cautious hints of the extremely discr...

9 May 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #197

Allen and Unwin had sent Tolkien a substantial check for his earnings from The Lord of the Rings. Had he known of the bombshell earlier Tolkien said he ...

19 June 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #198

An (unidentified) American filmmaker had expressed interest in making a cartoon film of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien welcomed the idea of an animated ...

24 June 1957

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Caroline Everett  Letters #199

Tolkien was both complementary and sorry to be the subject of Everetts thesis. He was disinclined to offer any biographical details since he doubted its...

25 June 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Major Bowen  Letters #200

Tolkien explained that Sauron was always de-bodied when vanquished. He was one of the minor angelic spirits, belonging to the race of intelligent beings...

7 September 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #201

Writing to Rayner Unwin, Tolkien gives some thoughts on the material left with him by Forrest J. Ackerman, including the script of Morton Grady Zimmerma...

11 September 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher and Faith Tolkien  Letters #202

Tolkien describes his meeting with Sir Stanley Unwin and Mr Ackerman, they decided upon a policy of Art or Cash when dealing with film rights.

17 November 1957

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Herbert Schiro  Letters #203

In response to a letter from Herbert Schiro asking about allegory in The Lord of the Rings, with comparisons as five wizards = five senses, and Orcs are...

7 December 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #204

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about translations and an index for The Lord of the Rings.

1958

21 February 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #205

Tolkien congratulates Christopher on a paper that he gave at St Annes College.

8 April 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #206

Tolkien describes in great detail his trip to Rotterdam.

8 April 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #207

Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about the Zimmerman adaption of The Lord of the Rings. Some additional quotes beyond what appear in Letters are reproduce...

10 April 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to C. Ouboter  Letters #208

Tolkien describes the message in The Lord of the Rings.

4 May 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Murray, S.J.  Letters #209

Tolkien discusses philology and the original meaning of words.

9 June 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman  Letters #210

After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...

14 October 1958

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #211

Covering more than six pages, Tolkien replied to several questions asked by Rhona Beare. A draft of this letter was included as Letter 212. Sam chanted ...

14 October 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #212

Tolkien describes the creation of the World and then of the Dwarves by Aulë in draft that was never sent to Beare.

25 October 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Deborah Webster  Letters #213

Tolkien says he does not like giving facts about himself, other than dry ones. Not only for personal reasons but Tolkien says he dislikes contemporary c...

1959

[late 1958-early 1959]

J.R.R. Tolkien to A.C. Nunn  Letters #214

Tolkien describes Hobbit history and the process of giving and receiving gifts in the Shire.

17 April 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Allen  Letters #215

Tolkien declines to take part in a symposium on Childrens writing in draft form, but ends up sending just a short note.

12 August 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Deputy Registrar, University of Madras  Letters #216

Tolkien declines an appointment as a member of a Board of Examiners.

11 September 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #217

Tolkien writes about the Polish translation of The Lord of the Rings. A slightly different quotation from the letter is given in Chronology from that re...

9 October 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Eric Rogers  Letters #218

Tolkien replies about an English usage question referring to has or have.

15 October 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #219*

Tolkien discusses his retirement. *PLEASE NOTE THAT IN THE ORIGINAL EDITION THIS LETTER WAS NUMBERED #220

16 October 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #220*

A Cambridge cat breeder had asked if she could register a litter of Siamese kittens under names taken from The Lord of the Rings. * PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ...

24 November 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to D. M. Hawke, First Assistant Registrar, Oxford University  Letters #221

Tolkien writes to D. M. Hawke (First Assistant Registrar, Oxford University) on the Board of the Faculty of English about his retirement.

9 December 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #222

Tolkien writes to Rayner about his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl.

1960

31 July 1960

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #223

Tolkiens publishing commitments are catching up with him. Chronology reproduced a slightly longer selection of the letter than what appears in Letters. ...

12 September 1960

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #224

Tolkien comments on the C.S. Lewis book Studies in Words.

10 December 1960

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #225

Tolkien discusses Puffin Books offer to print The Hobbit.

31 December 1960

J.R.R. Tolkien to L.W. Forster  Letters #226

Writing to L.W. Forster, Tolkien states that The Lord of the Rings was not influenced by the two World Wars, except for the landscape. The 2023 revised ...

1961

5 January 1961

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. C. Ossendrijver  Letters #227

Of this letter, a large portion was published as Letter #227 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. In the opening portion of this letter to Madam Ossendrijv...

24 January 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #228

Tolkien writes about including the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings in translations. Quoted selections from the letter appear in Chronology that are ...

23 February 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #229

Tolkien’s commentary on Åke Ohlmarks’ introduction to the Swedish translation of The Lord of the Rings.

8 June 1961

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #230

Answering various questions about The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy of original letter with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.

4 October 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #231

Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane about publishing Tom Bombadil.

4 November 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Reeves  Letters #232

Tolkien talks about his pre-WWI trip to the Alps.

15 November 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #233

Allen & Unwin agree to publish The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

22 November 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #234

Tolkien sends some poems that he is considering for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. A lecture he gave on fairy stories at St Andrews consolidated his vi...

6 December 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes  Letters #235

Pauline Baynes, who had illustrated Farmer Giles of Ham, had expressed herself willing to provide pictures for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, and had b...

30 December 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #236

Tolkien has read the Puffin Hobbit and was not impressed with changes made to the book. Chronology contains additional quoted material beyond what appea...

1962

12 April 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #237

Tolkien discusses progress with The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Chronology contains additional material quoted beyond what appears in Letters. The origi...

18 July 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #238

Writing to his aunt, Jane Neave, and in a newly published From the original Letters, 1981. Tolkien had sent Jane a cheque, but she returned it suggestin...

20 July 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez  Letters #239

Writing to Alina Dadlez, Tolkien explains his displeasure at the Spanish translation of Hobbit and remarks back to the private fancies of the translator...

1 August 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes  Letters #240

Pauline Baynes, who was illustrating The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, pointed out that the typescript of the title poem described Tom as wearing a peacoc...

8-9 September 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave  Letters #241

Tolkien writes about his lecture English and Welsh and about Leaf by Niggle.

28 November 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin  Letters #242

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was published on 22 November. Additional quotes and context appear in Chronology than what is in Letters. The original le...

19 December 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #243

Tolkien wished Mick a merry Christmas. After his retirement, so the Professor told, he was short of money, but Allen & Unwin paid his royalties for the ...

1963

c. 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown  Letters #244

A fragment at the top of which Tolkien has written: ‘Comments on a criticism (now lost?) concerning Faramir & Eowyn (c. 1963).’

25 June 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare  Letters #245

Answers to the following questions: (1) In the ‘English runes’ used for Anglo-Saxon inscriptions, the rune does not stand for G as it does in The Lo...

20 September 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Colonel Worskett  Letters #247

Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings, comparisons to The Hobbit, some discussion of the material being worked on for The Silmarillion, and a lengt...

22 September 1963

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar  Letters #246

Tolkien answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. An excerpt from the letter has appeared in Sothebys En...

5 October 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin  Letters #248

Allen & Unwin were to publish a paperback consisting of Tolkien’s lecture ‘On Fairy-stories’ and his short story ‘Leaf by Niggle’. An addition...

16 October 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #249

Tolkien describes his visit to the Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth. Chronology contains a few additional quotes from the letter that do not appear in Carpe...

1 November 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #250

Tolkien remarked that Michael apparently had not inherited a dislike of letter-writing, but the inability to write briefly. Inevitably it meant that the...

?Late November -?early December 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #252

Tolkien writes about the death of C.S. Lewis.

26 November 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien  Letters #251

Tolkien discusses the death of C.S. Lewis.

23 December 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #253

It had been agreed that the new paperback (see no. 248) should be given the title Tree and Leaf. Rayner Unwin asked if Tolkien could suggest a suitable ...

1964

9 January 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rev. Denis Tyndall  Letters #254

Tyndall, an old boy of King Edward’s, Birmingham, had written to Tolkien recalling their schooldays together.

5 March 1964

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar  Letters #255

Eileen Elgar wrote to Tolkien asking for information about The Silmarillion. Included in his reply was a nine page manuscript, with genealogical tree il...

13 May 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Bailey  Letters #256

An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. See #Letter338 for more about the events after The Lord of the Rings. Chronology mentio...

16 July 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Bretherton  Letters #257

Tolkien assured Bretherton that typing was not a discourtesy. He usually typed since his handwriting tended to start fair but then drift into picturesqu...

2 August 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #258

During 1964 an Aquastroll hydrofoil, which made a trial crossing from Calais to Dover, was given the name Shadowfax (the name of the horse ridden by Gan...

7 August 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Anne Barrett  Letters #259

Tolkien is asked why Tree and Leaf is called Tree and Leaf.

16 August 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Carey Blyton  Letters #260

Blyton had asked Tolkien’s permission to compose a Hobbit Overture.

30 August 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Anne Barrett  Letters #261

A comment on an article about C. S. Lewis by one of his former pupils, George Bailey, in The Reporter, 23 April 1964.

7 September 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael di Capua  Letters #262

Tolkien responds to a query from Pantheon Books about writing a preface to George MacDonald’s The Golden Key. It never got past the draft stage, but l...

10 September 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin  Letters #263

Tolkien is not happy with the design of HMCos Tree and Leaf.

11 September 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill  Letters #264

Tolkien really does not like the design of HMCos Tree and Leaf. He comments negatively on Carole Wards proposal for a serialization of The Lord of the R...

11 November 1964

J.R.R. Tolkien to David Kolb, S.J.  Letters #265

Tolkien was asked about his views on the works of C.S. Lewis.

1965

6 January 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #266

In this letter from Tolkien to his grandson, who was studying at St. Andrews University, Tolkien apologizes that his translations of Sir Gawain and the ...

9-10 January 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #267

Tolkien talks about the death of Dr C.T. Onions and his memories of Fr. Francis.

19 January 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss A. P. Northey  Letters #268

Tolkien describes what happened to Shadowfax at the end of The Lord of the Rings (he went with Gandalf into the West).

12 May 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #269

Auden had asked Tolkien if the notion of the Orcs, an entire race that was irredeemably wicked, was not heretical.

20 May 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #270

Tolkien had sent Unwin the typescript of his new story Smith of Wootton Major. It seemed to Unwin to need the companionship of other stories to make a s...

25 May 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #271

Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings.. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolo...

20 July 1965

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Zillah Sherring  Letters #272

In a second-hand bookshop in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Zillah Sherring found and bought a copy of The Fifth Book of Thucydides which contained a number of s...

21 July 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott  Letters #273

Mrs Scott was a leading campaigner in the battle to keep the pirate edition of The Lord of the Rings out of the American bookshops.

28 July 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin Olney  Letters #274

Tolkien discusses revising The Lord of the Rings and the maps. Additional quotes can be found in the Chronology entry for this letter. The original is i...

4 August 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #275

Auden had invited Tolkien to contribute to a festschrift marking the retirement of Nevill Coghill. He also asked if Tolkien knew that a ‘New York Tolk...

12 September 1965

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz  Letters #276

Tolkien writes about The Silmarillion, the Númenórean legends, and his friendship with C.S. Lewis. He discusses the formation of the Tolkien Society o...

12 September 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #277

In August 1965 Ballantine Books produced the first ‘authorized’ American paperback of The Hobbit, without incorporating Tolkien’s revisions to the...

20 October 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #278

In the portion of this letter published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien he writes to Kilby about book, Light on C.S. Lewis. From a personal visit to th...

30 October 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #279

Tolkien discusses money worries. The letter was originally published as letter 279 in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. Hammond and Scull published a descr...

8 November 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #280

Tolkien is working on drafts of Sir Gawain and Pearl and finding interesting words and passages that he hopes to write up for academic journals. An expa...

15 December 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #281

Tolkien writes about a new UK paperback edition of The Hobbit. He comments on replacing the note explaining Bilbos changed story and the two Thrains wit...

18 December 1965

J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #282

Professor Kilby, of Wheaton College, Illinois, had met Tolkien while visiting Oxford in 1964. He now offered to return to England and help Tolkien in an...

1966

7 January 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Benjamin P. Indick  Letters #283

An example of a stock reply to readers.

23 February 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #284

Auden told Tolkien that he had agreed to write a short book about him, in collaboration with Peter H. Salus, for a seres entitled Christian Perspectives...

8 April 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #285

Tolkien writes about his reaction to Audens comments on his house.

27 April 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to A. E. Couchman  Letters #286

The following is one of many short replies that Tolkien wrote at this period of his life to readers who asked questions about his books. Its characteris...

10 May 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill  Letters #287

Tolkien’s telephone number was still in the Oxford directory, and he was sometimes bothered by calls from ‘fans’. A harsh critique of a particular...

10 May 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Professor Norman Davis  Letters #288

The English Faculty of Oxford University wished to acquire a bust of Tolkien by his daughter-in-law Faith. The bust was duly presented to them, and now ...

29 July 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #289

Tolkien discusses the etymology of Mirkwood. Brief quotes from this letter included in Chronology show that he also talked about the typewriters he uses...

28 October 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #290

Tolkiens grandson is studying at Oxford, and likes the typewriter that Tolkien loaned him enough that Tolkien is gifting it to him permanently. He discu...

22 November 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Hooper  Letters #291

Hooper had sent Tolkien a new volume of Lewis’s writings, which he had edited.

12 December 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill  Letters #292

Tolkien had been sent details of a proposed ‘sequel’ to The Lord of the Rings that a ‘fan’ was going to write himself.

29 December 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to William Foster  Letters #293

Tolkien was asked to be interviewed for The Scotsman.

1967

8 February 1967

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer  Letters #294

The Plimmers had recently interviewed Tolkien for the Daily Telegraph Magazine, and had now sent him a draft of their article, the finished version of w...

29 March 1967

J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden  Letters #295

Auden had written to praise Tolkien for the poem in Anglo-Saxon which Tolkien had contributed (together with a version in modern English) to the journal...

21 July 1967

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #296

Tolkien thanks Rayner for his friendship.

August 1967

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Rang  Letters #297

At the top, Tolkien has written: ‘Some reflections in preparing an answer to a letter from one Mr Rang about investigations into my nomenclature. In t...

11 September 1967

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J.R.R. Tolkien to William Luther White  Letters #298

White had written to Tolkien asking for information regarding the Inklings. Tolkien replies with some brief information from memory. He says that the na...

12 December 1967

J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #299

Tolkien thanks Green for his review of Smith of Wootton Major.

1968

20 February 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Hooper  Letters #300

With reference to C. S. Lewis’s verse ‘We were talking of dragons, Tolkien and I / In a Berkshire bar. . . .’ This short poem, first printed in...

29 February 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann  Letters #301

The BBC made a documentary programme, Tolkien in Oxford, which was filmed in early February and televised on 30 March 1968. Swann, whose musical setting...

2 May 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Time-Life International  Letters #302

Tolkien is not happy to be asked to be photographed pretending to be at work.

6 May 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Nicholas Thomas  Letters #303

Tolkien writes about Sarehole Mill.

4 June 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #304

Tolkien writes about his move to the South Coast of England. In a portion that remains unpublished, Tolkien also spends some time complaining about Will...

26 June 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #305

On 17 June, while preparing to move house, Tolkien fell downstairs and injured his leg. This letter was written from hospital in Oxford.

11 October 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #306

Tolkien was delighted that Michael had visited Switzerland and the very place that affected him so deeply. Bilbos Misty Mountains journey, especially th...

14 November 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #307

Amy sent Tolkien some Port and Sherry.

1969

2 January 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #308

Tolkien wishes Christopher a happy 1969.

2 January 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #309

Tolkien replies to a letter from Amy Ronald. He explains his names and the different ways that family and friends address him.

20 May 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Camilla Unwin  Letters #310

Rayner Unwin’s daughter Camilla was told, as part of a school ‘project’, to write and ask: ‘What is the purpose of life?’

31 July 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #311

Tolkien and Edith are not well and feeling cut-off.

16 November 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #312

Tolkien discusses his love of botany.

25 November 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #313

Tolkien wishes he had an elven grammar and vocabulary.

15 December 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #314

Tolkien writes about teaching.

1970

1 January 1970

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #315

Tolkien discusses his problems with progressing with the Silmarillion. An additional portion of the letter has been quoted on Michael Tolkiens website.

11 September 1970

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield  Letters #316

Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.

1 November 1970

J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald  Letters #317

Tolkien writes to Amy about his house and plans for Christmas.

22 November 1970

J.R.R. Tolkien to Neil Ker  Letters #318

Tolkien reminisces about A.S. Napier.

1971

8 January 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #319

Tolkien writes to Roger about his thoughts on the origin of the word Hobbit.

25 January 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Ruth Austin  Letters #320

Tolkien discusses Galadriel.

4 February 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to P. Rorke, S.J.  Letters #321

Tolkien describes the Caverns of Helms Deep as being influenced by Cheddar Gorge.

18 March 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater  Letters #322

Tolkien writes about progress on the Silmarillion.

about 2 June 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #323

Tolkien describes his visit to Sidmouth.

4-5 June 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar  Letters #324

Tolkien writes about about the use of the name ‘Gamgee’ in The Lord of the Rings, and whether the name ‘Gondor’ had been suggested by Gondar in ...

17 July 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green  Letters #325

Tolkien writes about Aman and what happens to mortals, such as Frodo, when they go there. In a portion published in the C.S. Lewis Biography by Green To...

24 July 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #326

Tolkien writes to Rayner about his becoming Chairman of GA&U. A brief quote about Ediths health is reproduced in Chronology.

25 August 1971

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Boyer  Letters #327

Tolkien replies to Mr. Boyer about W.H. Auden whom he regarded as a great friend and supporter.

Autumn 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Batten-Phelps  Letters #328

Tolkien talks about The Lord of the Rings and confesses that he feels it no longer belongs to him.

October 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Szabó Szentmihályi  Letters #329

Tolkien shares his views on authors biographies.

1 November 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater  Letters #330

Tolkien thanks William Cater for his letter, He had been interviewed by William Cater for the Sunday Times. The article was published on the 2nd January...

29 November 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater  Letters #331

Tolkien writes to William Cater about the death of his wife, Edith Tolkien and his utter bereavement. In the 2023 revised edition of Letters, a brief no...

1972

24 January 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #332

Tolkien writes to his son about the very generous accommodation offered to him by Merton College in Oxford.

16 March 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Dear R.  Letters #333

Tolkien invites Rayner and his wife to visit him in his new flat at Merton.

30 March 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #334

Tolkien thanks Rayner for organizing his trip to London to Buckingham Palace to be awarded the C.B.E., a party at the Garrick Club in his honour and sta...

18 May 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Salmon  Letters #335

Tolkien explains that he does not have time to comment on his works.

23 May 1972

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Patrick Browne  Letters #336

Tolkien writes about being a cult figure.

25 May 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Wrigley  Letters #337

Tolkien discusses the sources of The Lord of the Rings.

?6 June 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Fr. Douglas Carter  Letters #338

Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?

30 June 1972 (published 4 July)

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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Daily Telegraph  Letters #339

Tolkien writes to the Daily Telegraph newspaper about an editorial which they published on the 29th June 1972. He objects to having his name used as an ...

11 July 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #340

Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&Us headquarters.

17 September 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Marjorie Incledon  Letters #341

Tolkien discusses his living situation at Merton College. His fame forces him to live behind locked doors.

9 November 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Meriel Thurston  Letters #342

Tolkien is asked about Elvish names for bulls and herds of cattle.

21 November 1972

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier  Letters #343

Tolkien describes his use for a drinking goblet sent to him, inscribed with the One Ring inscription. Published (in part) as letter 343 from The Letters...

23 November 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Edmund Meskys  Letters #344

Tolkien talks about numerals in The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.

30 November 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Meriel Thurston  Letters #345

A continuation of #Letter342, where Tolkien continues to discuss naming animals.

13 December 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Lyle Leach  Letters #346

Tolkien expounds upon Gandalfs statement He that breaks a thing to find out what it is have left the path of wisdom when responding to someones destruct...

17 December 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery  Letters #347

A reply to the following questions: (1) Does ‘Speak, friend, and enter’ (the inscription over Moria Gate) mean ‘Speak as a friend’, i.e. in a fr...

1973

6 March 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Catharine Findlay  Letters #348

Tolkien responds an enquiry about Galadriel.

8 March 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. R. Ehrardt  Letters #349

Tolkien discusses the origins of the name Tolkien.

24 May 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to C.L. Wiseman  Letters #350

Tolkien writes to his T.C.B.S. friend Christopher Wiseman and thinks of his friends in the T.C.B.S.

29 May 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #351

Tolkien writes to Christopher about his trip to the Tolhursts and news of Priscillas holiday in Crete.

5 June 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Ungfrú Aðalsteinsdottir  Letters #352

Tolkien is pleased that The Hobbit is being translated into Icelandic.

4 August 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury  Letters #353

Tolkien writes about his current views on Galadriel which changed frequently through out his life.

29 August 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien  Letters #354

This letter to Priscilla was written four days before Tolkiens death.