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Written during Tolkien's final undergraduate year at Oxford. Describes his studies and social interactions. Note on the dating of this letter: Humphrey ...
Writing to Edith, Tolkien describes his day. He had dinner with "a man called Earp" and attends a meeting of the Essay Club where he reads from his Voya...
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 ...
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 t...
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...
Tolkien writes to the wife of Joseph Wright thanking her for sending him her article about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and some kind comments about ...
Tolkien applies for the position of 'Professorship of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University'. He describes his schooling and his time at Leeds University as ...
Tolkien has been elected to the Rawlinson & Bosworth professorship at Oxford and must therefore resign his position at Leeds. His posting takes effect f...
Writing to his son John, Tolkien asks about the credits he will take and also that he noted that his German books remained in his trunk after his holida...
Writing to, Christopher, Tolkien says he misses his son but that he is glad Christopher’s little holiday has begun with fine weather. He discusses the...
Tolkien sends birthday wishes for his son Michael. He says that he has heard from John that he is short of cash and apologizes for his lack of help but ...
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...
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...
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...
Tolkien replies to Michael's letter. It appears that Michael has opted to change his work, but Tolkien would like to talk with Welch & Bostock first bef...
Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth of GA&U acknowledging the two drawings which were “safely received”, he has placed them in the correct positions among...
Concerning Tolkien's corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his subm...
Tolkien writes to his daughter Priscilla in April, 1937 while he is away on a walking tour of Somerset. He hopes to see her tomorrow. He remarks that he...
This two-page handwritten letter contains some of Tolkien's thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA. Tolkien can make illustratio...
In this three-page handwritten letter, Tolkien writes to his publisher about the release date for The Hobbit, going on at length about how it would be b...
Tolkien sends the last two colour drawings for the American edition of The Hobbit and asks GA&U to send it on to Houghton Mifflin. he also asks about a ...
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, apologizes for sounding ungrateful to him. Unwin had sent Tolkien a much welcomed cheque. He hopes that the Hobbit ea...
Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
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 f...
Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he knows that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Literary ...
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." ...
Writing to his friend and colleague E.V. Gordon, Tolkien says of Gordon that he has been treated badly. He says that he cannot help enough on the Pearl ...
Tolkien has received a letter from Arthur Ransome, who wonders about the use of the word "man" in The Hobbit, as well as a few other letters from reader...
"I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits – 'A long expected party'" remarks Tolkien in this letter to C.A. Furth of GA&U. This i...
Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, asking if Rayner Unwin was interested to read the "sequel to The Hobbit". In the revised 2023 editi...
Tolkien sends to his publisher, the first chapter of a new book, the sequel to The Hobbit. ‘A Long-expected Party’, the first chapter of this book, ...
Tolkien replies to C.A. Furth regarding the return of Mr. Bliss. Tolkien expresses regret for any trouble caused and wishes someone could redraw the pic...
In this two page handwritten letter, Tolkien thanks Unwin's son Rayner for his positive feedback on the first chapter of the new book, "A Long-Expected ...
Tolkien responds to a request, likely from a researcher or enthusiast, regarding the origins and inspirations behind his work, particularly The Hobbit. ...
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin about C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet and gives him an update on progress with the sequel to The Hobbit. He also m...
Tolkien expresses reluctance to create drawings of hobbits and suggests leaving such tasks to someone with artistic skills. He provides a description of...
Tolkien thanks Stanley Unwin for the excellent news from America, where The Hobbit is selling well and it has won a prize of $250. Rayner's review of th...
Tolkien bemoans The Hobbit being published in 1937 over 1938. His work pressure has left him hard-pressed to get into actions on the sequel. Tolkien has...
Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin in response to a letter from a German publisher, Rütten & Loening Verlag. They wanted to publish a German translation of...
Rütten & Loening Verlag, the German publisher enquired about publishing a German translation of The Hobbit. As part of their conditions they wanted to ...
Tolkien responds to Mr. Masefield regarding the lines provided for a performance. Tolkien expresses no objection to being preceded by the lines and defe...
Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...
In this letter to Stanley Unwin, J.R.R. Tolkien discusses his recent intense work on a sequel to The Hobbit, which has reached Chapter XI. He expresses ...
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien offers an update with his work on The Lord of the Rings. He has not worked on since December but feels it is a better wor...
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien expresses gratitude for the enclosed cheque for royalities for 1938 and an advance of the royalties from Houghton Mifflin...
Tolkien offers his sympathies to his son Michael as he has been bedridden with a bad cold. He has been very busy and feels he has neglected his son with...
Tolkien updates Phillip Unwin on the current situation at universities given the news of war with Germany. He says there will be a reduced demand, but s...
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...
Tolkien apologizes for his previous behavior and explains that he misunderstood the nature of the requested contribution for the book Beowulf. He expres...
Tolkien replies to a letter from his son Michael where he had evidently spoken about his feelings about events of the world, studies, etc. Tolkien is re...
Tolkien describes the departure of evacuees, railway workers and their families, who had sought refuge during wartime. Tolkien observes the scenes with ...
Tolkien's son Michael had volunteered in the army, and Tolkien expresses his deep regret about the disruption to his university education due to militar...
Tolkien hopes that Christopher has not had air raids recently. He notes that he is very lonely without him close to home. Tolkien has been busy with ter...
After addressing overdue correspondence, Tolkien mentions resuming work on his sequel to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, but anticipates the impendin...
To son Michael, Tolkien describes the dreary and busy time with foul weather, shares a humorous incident involving snuff at a pub, mentions committee wo...
Tolkien sends Christopher some money, and reminds him that it is important to remember birthdays, especially his mother’s. Tolkien then goes on to rem...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien remarks on the work of typing up "Hobbit" and how Edith and Priscilla are getting along. He then promises to write more.
Tolkien says that he has neglected Christopher of late. He briefly mentions a trip out with Warnie Lewis and ‘Honest Humphrey’ Harvard. He and Micha...
In a comprehensive letter, J.R.R. Tolkien reflects on relationships between men and women, addressing physical, friendly, and romantic dimensions. He de...
Tolkien’s second son Michael evidently has informed his parents of his attachment to Joan Griffiths, a nurse at the Worcester Royal Infirmary, and Tol...
Identifying more with his Suffield heritage than his Tolkien name, Tolkien expresses a deep connection to Worcestershire, considering it "home" due to h...
In a letter to his son Michael, Tolkien expresses his struggles with writing due to constant rain and increased responsibilities. He sympathizes with go...
Tolkien reflects on his time in Leeds from 1920 to 1925, associating it with Gordon and expressing gratitude for his kindness and encouragement. The aut...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the note from Stanley Unwin and discusses the progress of the sequel to The Hobbit that he has been working on since 193...
Tolkien expresses sympathy for Lewis' illness and suggests the possibility of meeting on Wednesdays while discussing the challenges hindering their meet...
Writing to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien critiques views on Christian marriage and divorce, pointing out what he sees as a confusion in the argument presented in ...
Tolkien was glad to get Christopher's letter, he had been waiting to write, needing his new address. He mentions the weather, and fruits which are growi...
Tolkien details a visit to Collegiate Church and describes the building. He then remarks on the people buried there and gives some historical context.
Christopher had apparently been having a bad week, and Tolkien writes with his sympathies. He says to not spend “precious time” on letter writing, t...
Tolkien has organized the next R.N.-R.A.F. course, he will have around 40 cadets and has to attend the Passing Out Parade of the R.N. tomorrow. He is al...
Tolkien asks how Christopher has been getting on with flight training, he says that he has been very busy with letters and chores, but did manage to hea...
Tolkien describes how trees look at 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.
Tolkien describes meeting C.E.B. Joad the night before at dinner with C.S. Lewis, and talks a bit about Joad's visit to Russia. The dinner is described ...
Tolkien had not managed to send Christopher his pipe yesterday, and sends it on to him with this letter. He and Edith received a long letter and were ha...
Tolkien reports that he is tired, but has managed to get things done in his usual “programme”. He notes that he has heard two chapters from Charles ...
Tolkien reflects on the challenging and disheartening circumstances of the time, including the impact of war, propaganda, and the bleak conditions of li...
Writing to son Christopher, Tolkien reflects on the challenges and monotony of daily life during a turbulent period, expressing a sense of isolation due...
Tolkien writes to Christopher after hearing from his brother Michael that Christopher had been unwell again. Tolkien updates him on home life, with Edit...
Tolkien replies to a letter from Christopher, he is glad to hear from him and notes his instructions for his tobacco. He has prayed constantly for his s...
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 ...
Tolkien apologizes to Christopher for the delay in writing and shares details of recent activities, including giving lectures, discussing Cardiff with G...
Tolkien has not written for a week and speaks of his “shame of letting a whole week go”. He has been praying for Christopher constantly though. Tolk...
Tolkien notes the lack of humorous anecdotes due to limited social interactions in recent weeks. He also mentions an encounter with Lewis, who is energe...
Tolkien says they have received many letters from Christopher, he will feel much better when he knows that he has received theirs. Tolkien notes that he...
Tolkien had an outing, seeing the two Lewis brothers and having lunch with C.S. Lewis. During the meeting, Lewis read part of a new story.
Tolkien recounts recent events, including a cycle ride to Pembroke, a train journey to Birmingham, and a visit to his hometown. During the train journey...
Tolkien shares his commitment to completing The Lord of the Rings, expressing the challenges of re-reading and researching while working on the adventur...
Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a recently received airletter, shares updates about writing progress on The Lord of the Rings and mentions spending time...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving a batch of letters and, discusses the distressing but unsurprising uncensored accounts of Christopher's experiences, ...
Tolkien gives Christopher an update on his progess on The Two Towers, the second book of The Lord of the Rings. He has read the second chapter, "Passage...
Tolkien had received an airletter from Christopher that morning and he read it while enjoying breakfast in bed. He describes the events of St. George's ...
Tolkien writes of his longing and concern for Christopher in the midst of war, reflecting on human suffering and the senselessness of conflict. Despite ...
Having read another chapter to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien is now writing the next, and will send Christopher copies as soon as possible.
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathizes wi...
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attended church ...
Tolkien spent a morning writing The Lord of the Rings and is now in sight of Minas Morghul. He has been gardening in the midday heat. he expresses his r...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien updates him on his progress writing The Lord of the Rings. He had needed to sort the study, and "attend to business". He...
Tolkien apologizes for the lapse in correspondence. He gives an update on writing of The Lord of the Rings. He reads for Lewis and Williams and both men...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the letters he has received from Christopher and briefly mentions an inclination to envy his time in the hills. Tolkien ...
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" were very easy to talk to. Lew...
Tolkien acknowledges receiving Christopher's air letter and briefly mentions the weather. He provide updates on recent activities, including efforts in ...
Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel “worn out”. He mentions that he had received a ...
Stanley Unwin had sent Tolkien a large cheque as payment of royalties on The Hobbit, and mentions that Rayner is now at Oxford reading English. Tolkien ...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
Tolkien opens this letter by mentioning that he is writing this letter using his new "midget type" typewriter cartridges. These could be interchanged an...
Tolkien discusses the name Sam Gamgee, agreeing with Christopher's opinion and explaining the choice to emphasize the character's comic, peasantry, and ...
Tolkien reports in a newly published portion that he had received Christopher's airletter of 24 July. He says that his day on Friday was “grim”, as ...
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters, encouraging openness about details of his life. He offers support for navigating challenges and express the n...
Tolkien reflects on the cultural landscape, comparing Kroonstad, seen as a genuine product of their culture, with Jo'burg's aspirations. He expresses co...
Priscilla has been struggling with The Ballad of the White Horse and trying to parts of it to her has made Tolkien realize it isn't as good as he rememb...
Tolkien writes to G.E. Selby, a family friend agreeing to act as a referee for his application to a post. In a newly published extract, of this previous...
Tolkien says that he has now seen Rayner twice. He regrets that he has not been able to help him but remarks on what a fine young man he is. He hopes th...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving an airgraph before Christopher's departure to Standerton. He discusses the progress of the chapters and promises to s...
Engaged in revision, Tolkien reflects on the chapter "King of the Golden Hall" and finds it to be rather good with the perspective of time.
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...
Tolkien has discovered a severe problem in timing for events in The Lord of the Rings, and will require much work to fix. He has sent a copy of Leaf by ...
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings is giving Tolkien trouble, but with some small changes to the map and a few extra days here and there seem to hav...
Tolkien has just seen a "skywide armada" fly overhead, but thinks he can mention it in his letter because it will be long gone before any risk of the ne...
Tolkien sends the last two chapters of the fourth book of The Lord of the Rings, and quotes from a letter he has received from a fan who has read The Ho...
A very short excerpt (three sentences) where Tolkien mentions the fading of the current year into "dull grey mournful darkness", and wonders what the ne...
Tolkien was interested to hear that Christopher had run into “another of the Unwins”, Harold Unwin, a.k.a Chris. He says that Rayner was at Blackwel...
In regards to Christopher's mentioning of his guardian angel , Tolkien worried that Christopher's was very much needed. which reminded him of a vision h...
Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and he notes how Lewis had been interested in the “angelic question” which Tolkien had mentioned to him in an earlier le...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving several letters from Christopher and comments on the amusing account of the Wings ceremony. He appreciates the mentio...
Tolkien sends a small consignment of "The Ring," consisting of the last two chapters that have been written and the end of the Fourth Book. The hero is ...
Tolkien says that he gave two lectures yesterday, which was an “appalling” day of weather but that he had an excellent morning “at the Bird” wit...
Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
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 ...
Tolkien expresses joy that Christopher enjoyed the next three chapters of "The Ring" and provides information about the schedule for sending the remaini...
Tolkien is happy to get so many letters from Christopher, and is very pleased that the third batch of Ring material has gotten to Christopher and that h...
Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
Tolkien continues to talk about the movie he and Edith saw remarking that his “mind and heart” are still thinking of it. He says that it has the qua...
Tolkien says that he is still “under the influence” of the movie he and Edith saw a week ago and continues to talk about religion, God, and other as...
Tolkien has been enjoying reading Stenton's Anglo-Saxon England, and wishes he had a time-machine. Tolkien tells Christopher that this is the history "o...
Tolkien describes some domestic plumbing troubles that prevented him from meeting up with Lewis in the morning, but the eventually managed to make it to...
Tolkien describes a letter he has written to the Catholic Herald, in rebuttal to someone who thinks Coventry is derived from Convent.
Tolkien says that he is finding lectures hard work, and that he is tired. He is surprised that he does not have written notes for Beowulf beyond approx....
Tolkien discusses Chaucer, saying he had “little learning”, some Latin skill but lacked the talent for prose. Also on this day Tolkien's letter to t...
Tolkien writes to Christopher while in working with Cadets at the Taylorian . He is missing his son and wishes he could see him. He gives an update on t...
Tolkien expresses deep concern about Rayner, who is off to war, and mentions that his son Christopher has become great friends with Chris Unwin. One of ...
A short excerpt from Tolkien to Christopher after he had been on leave. He describes seeing him again as like having an old tooth with a "dulled ache". ...
Tolkien expresses sympathy to Ms. Williams and her son, and his grief over the loss of her husband Charles Williams. The transcript in Carpenter's Lette...
Tolkien remarks that he would be comforted if Christopher could be re-commissioned out of the R.A.F. Christopher had recently returned from service. He ...
The Civil Defense was staging a stand-down parade Tolkien felt was mockery, because "Wars are always lost".
Tolkien expresses profound horror and disbelief at the news of atomic bombs, describing the scientists involved as "lunatic physicists" and condemning t...
Tolkien writes to his son Christopher, informing him that the Inklings propose to consider him a permanent member. An extract from the letter appears in...
Tolkien took a new position, the Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature, and remarks on the occasion.
Tolkien and the dons met, chatted and had dinner among other activities.
Tolkien writes to Sir Stanley Unwin, who had just been knighted. He asked about Farmer Giles. And remarks on his progress to The Hobbit sequel among oth...
Tolkien expresses delight at the prospect of publishing "Farmer Giles of Ham" but cites academic commitments as a hindrance to providing more material p...
Tolkien mentions receiving letters from Horus Engels regarding a German translation, and while Engels doesn't explicitly propose himself as a translator...
Tolkien notes to Stanley Unwin that he has received the agreement for Farmer Giles of Ham, he would also send revised manuscripts for it in July and he ...
Tolkien sends back the revised manuscript of Farmer Giles of Ham for publication. He has carefully gone through it, making alterations to improve both s...
Tolkien responded to Rayner Unwin's comments about The Fellowship of the Ring. He talks about allegory as well as other literary illusions. Tolkien ment...
Tolkien provides information about the origin and authorship of the riddles included in their work. He clarifies that most of the riddles are their orig...
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in responding to a letter sent in July and explains that he has been preoccupied with philology due to academic commitm...
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin with regard to his visit of Merton College's estates in Cambridge, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire between 22 and 25 Se...
Katharine Farrer had written to Tolkien, in runes, asking if he would sign her copy of The Hobbit. Tolkien replies to her letter in runes. He says that ...
Tolkien and Lewis corresponded about what was being read aloud at an Inklings meeting. This was part of a larger conversation surrounding what they were...
Tolkien expresses pleasure that Brogan enjoyed "The Hobbit" and mentions his ongoing work on a longer piece set in the same world, providing details abo...
Tolkien opens this letter with apologies for his delayed reply. He says that he must have appeared ungrateful, but not only was he grateful, he was exci...
GA&U had decided that Milein Cosman would illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham, a point that Tolkien did not approve of. He likened her artwork to that of Top...
Success! declares Tolkien. He has completed The Lord of the Rings and having been read by Rayner Unwin is approved. He does not think it will make any m...
Tolkien writes to Hugh Brogan using runes to wish him a happy Christmas. Hammond/Scull also note that Tolkien also sent Brogan another letter with menti...
Tolkien declares to GA&U that he does not have the time to retype Farmer Giles of Ham, nor does he feel that it is required. He remarks that the typing ...
It has been decided that Pauline Baynes will now illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien is delighted with this news.
Tolkien discusses the progress of Farmer Giles and hints that the final draft of Lord of the Rings could be done something with.
A two page letter (single 5.5 x 7 inch sheet, both sides) in response to Mrs. Mitchison's praise of Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien mentions that FG was re...
Tolkien writes to Baynes making mention that Lewis had been in touch and wishes her a Happy Christmas. She (Baynes) is illustrating Lewis's Lion, Witch ...
Tolkien had "dumped" the manuscript of The Lord of the Rings on Milton Waldman just as he was going on holiday, and Tolkien felt bad burdoning him with ...
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, mentioning various topics but chief among them is The Lord of the Rings. Stranded without a publisher, and the work now...
Tolkien compares his two great stories the War of the Ring and the War of the Jewels and remarks on the Farmer Giles sales figures.
Unwin wants to break up Tolkien's "monstrous Saga", and Tolkien hopes Unwin will let the project go so Tolkien can publish The Lord of the Rings and The...
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 ...
Tolkien was sent proofs for a new edition of The Hobbit and remarks on how The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are interlinked. He was not expecting hi...
Writing to Hugh Brogan, Tolkien notes that he does not know what is happening with The Lord of the Rings which he had hoped would be published this year...
Tolkien writes about the new revised edition of The Hobbit.
Tolkien sends in a new version of CH 5 of the Hobbit.
Tolkien in a letter to Hugh Brogan gives him some updates on his health. He also says that “Drama” is a “bore”.
Tolkien wrote this letter to Milton Waldman. Tolkien wanted his publisher, George Allen & Unwin, to publish both The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarill...
Tolkien writes to his son John about a meal that he had with Lewis, which they called the 'ham-feast'.
Tolkien says that Edith is much happier but for the terrible noise in the street. He says that they will move into the room he currently uses as an offi...
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 Geor...
Tolkien expresses his eagerness to publish The Lord of the Rings as soon as possible. Tolkien plans to spend some days correcting the manuscript at his ...
Tolkien writes to wish Michael a happy birthday for tomorrow. He is busy with work but offers his prayers and love to his son. He also mentions the arri...
Tolkien expresses regret for producing a substantial work like The Lord of the Rings during challenging times. He expresses gratitude for the recipient'...
Tolkien replies to Rayner's letter and mentions his pleasure at the news of Allen & Unwin's decision to publish The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien remarks to Basil Blackwell on the merits and shortcomings of a linguistic text being published in the near future. He points out that had he bee...
Writing to his son Michael and daughter-in-law Joan, Tolkien gives an update on their move to a new house, to 76 Sandfield Road. He notes that the start...
Tolkien notes how it has been some time since he wrote, he has been meaning to but has been getting his affairs in order with his house move. He says th...
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about the challenges he's faced leading up to the contract day for The Lord of the Rings. He is also concerned about Edit...
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in sending the revised manuscript for The Lord of the Rings. His move was incredibly challenging. Tolkien has finally c...
Tolkien writing to Norman and Lena Davis begins by saying that he does not know how to call Davis, now that he has spent time with him and ate his “br...
Tolkien asks Rayner Unwin for an update on galleys for The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that there will be little work as the copy was “pretty good”....
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin asking if there will be opportunity for the book to be reviewed. He wants C.S. Lewis especially to be able to review the...
Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby of the BBC. Newby had been negotiating to broadcast some of Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain but pressures meant that he...
Tolkien writing to P.H. Newby of the BBC, apologies for his delay in sending the typescript of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which he has enclosed wi...
Tolkien expresses his frustration with the galleys of his work, The Lord of the Rings. He finds the process tedious and mentions that the printed versio...
Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings and he suggests some titles if it is published in three volumes. He was also concerned about whether the publ...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Rayner's visit. He proposes titles for the volumes of The Lord of the Rings and his rationale behind the titles.
Tolkien writes, reminding Rayner that he will be in London the following day, he hopes Rayner will have time to lunch with him. He will arrive at Museum...
The BBC had expressed a desire to split Sir Gawain into six episodes but Tolkien does not think he can improve the divisions further. But after consider...
Tolkien apologizes for his delay in providing comments on the drawings. He does not think them satisfactory. He says that he should have been more caref...
Tolkien expresses frustration and anxiety over the "maps", as he believed they were an essential part of The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby, giving details of his various health issues at present. He is suffering from laryngitis, lumbago, and sciatica. He still h...
Tolkien writes to Rayner, he has been struggling with ill-health through the term and only recently has he been able to deal with “many strands” of ...
Tolkien will bring his copy of the third volume for GA&U to use for costing but says it is yet to be revised and will need to be returned to him. He hop...
Tolkien writing to Rayner says that Volume Two reads “rather well” and notes that the first book contains very few errors. He hopes to arrive at the...
Robert Murray had offered Tolkien some thought on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replied that The Lord of the Rings is a Catholic work, describing it as...
Tolkien thanks Katharine Farrer for her “charity” at a time he is suffering illness. He felt that the Sir Gawain broadcast on BBC Radio was not espe...
Tolkien writes about corrections to Book III and Book IV.
Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has today, sent by registered, the proof for the “General Map” with a second map for 'Part of the Shi...
Tolkien, writing to Allen & Unwin, encloses possible jacket designs, one for The Fellowship of the Ring, and another for The Two Towers. Describing them...
Tolkien sends Allen & Unwin proofs of various pages and notes that included rune for “33” are not good, also “59” which he has previous explaine...
Tolkien has drawn a sketch for Volume III, but says he won't show it to Rayner as it is not constructive to point out the artificial divisions in the vo...
Further to #TCGLetter1438, Tolkien says that p. 33 passes, p. 59 is improved. He has discovered “2 or 3” errors in the runic decoration on the title...
Tolkien writes about his use of languages in the book and explains the challenges faced in creating maps for The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the dis...
In reply to a letter from P.H. Newby, Tolkien says that a talk on the Third Programme would be a suitable subject but notes that it would be a controver...
Tolkien is pleased with positive early opinions about his work. He notes his dissatisfaction with the Houghton Mifflin effort, and gives some suggestion...
Tolkien does not approve of the proofs for the jacket of The Lord of the Rings, which he finds very ugly. He suggests some changes to the design of the ...
Tolkien addresses queries about The Two Towers by Allen and Unwin's head reader. Tolkien found the close reading extraordinary. A large publisher will h...
Tolkien expresses his delight in receiving an advance copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, he finds the jacket much improved and striking, particularly l...
Tolkien expresses concerns about misprints in The Fellowship of the Ring. He highlights a disagreement over a botanical term, corrected by the printers....
Tolkien remarks on the morality of The Lord of the Rings and thanks the Farrer for paying close attention to such matters. He addresses the connections ...
Tolkien expresses his relief that the critiques were better than feared. He acknowledges the disadvantage of issuing the work in three parts, with criti...
Tolkien is unable to submit any of the Appendices. The delay is attributed to promises made in Volume I, which are proving very difficult to meet.
Tolkien shares thoughts on the fascination of The Lord of the Rings. The author hopes to include an upcoming note on translation. The letter ends with t...
Tolkien discusses the English dialogue in The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son that should be used in the BBC Radio programme. In the 2023 rev...
Tolkien responds to Mrs. Mitchison's kind letter and her generous and perceptive review of The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the complexity of the wor...
Tolkien responds to Mrs Mitchison's about the concept of "magic" in his works, particularly in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien acknowledges that it is a ...
Tolkien responds to a reader's extensive analysis and questions about The Lord of the Rings. Amongst many topics, Tolkien discusses the unique fate of H...
Tolkien addresses several topics related to The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses the characters Smeagol and Gandalf (including the nature of the Ist...
Tolkien expresses regret for not having written or offered help during the recipient's difficult times, and suggests the possibility of contributing fun...
Tolkien briefly mentions having only had time to glance at the Houghton Mifflin 'jacket' information. He thinks it was written by someone who hasn't rea...
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for not having sent off the "main matter" earlier, and he details the hectic year he has had. "More than any one person cou...
Tolkien reflects on the challenges of getting their story published, expressing surprise and delight at the positive reception. Tolkien recalls a conver...
Tolkien regrets having promised the appendices to The Lord of the Rings. He acknowledges the demand for detailed information but is finding this very di...
Tolkien expresses frustration with creating a map for The Lord of the Rings.
Christopher Tolkien had re-drawn Tolkien's draft-map of the area of Gondor and Rohan.
Tolkien is still not happy with the appendices going in with The Return of the King, but says that they will have to do. He remarks on the ability of th...
Tolkien shares insights into the origins and inspirations behind his writing, particularly focusing on The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the evolution...
Tolkien describes a challenging and overwhelming period with an excessive workload, emphasizing the strain it has taken. He mentions booksellers, includ...
Tolkien discusses some questions from The New York Times. He talks about the name, TOLKIEN, his ancestors, and even though he was born in Africa, he con...
Tolkien notes that the proofs sent to him arrived later than expected and notes that this will hurry matters, after his "days of leisure" have been cut ...
Tolkien received some additional proofs of The Return of the King back from the printers, and is still not happy with the result. He chalks it up to his...
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current proofreading procedure and raises concerns about potential errors in the published volume.
Tolkien informs Rayner that he will be in "Gondor" for a few days, but doubts that anything urgent will come up while he is away.
Tolkien says that he cannot answer Mr. Beard's questions until he is back home and has a proof copy of the final text of Return of the King to look at.
Tolkien writes about his Italian holiday. Tolkien and Priscilla visited Assisi and Venice.
Tolkien responds to Mr. Jeffery's letter. Tolkien discusses the command of Elvish script and mentions the upcoming release of Volume III, which will inc...
Tolkien remarks that his holiday in Italy only made him more tired and not at all rested. Combined with his anxieties over the Return of the King releas...
Tolkien was asked about 'Numinor' in C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength and responds that it is a form of unintended borrowing. Tolkien clarifies that t...
Tolkien addresses the criticism of his use of deliberate archaism in his writing and strongly defends his choice to use this in The Lord of the Rings as...
Tolkien feels that his life may be in danger if The Return of the King is not published soon. This letter is held at the 'Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin...
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin, stressing that they must publish The Return of the King on the 20th October 1955. The letter is held at the 'Tolkien–...
Tolkien delivered his O'Donnell lecture, English and Welsh, on the 21st October 1955 and mentions that The Return of the King was published on the 20th ...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Lord Halsbury's approval and interest in his work. He discusses the surprising success of The Lord of the Rings and foll...
Tolkien writes about the radio adaption of The Lord of the Rings. He specifically criticizes the portrayal of events around Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. ...
Tolkien responds to a reviewer's questions about The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses that the story is meant to be enjoyed as a fairy tale. He ment...
Tolkien mentions his O'Donnell Lectures in Celtic Studies. He expresses disappointment in the radio broadcast adaptations of The Lord of the Rings. Tolk...
Tolkien expresses his agreement with critics' negative views on the radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien anticipates negative responses to...
Tolkien writes about Victorian Warwickshire as an inspiration for the Shire. Additional quotes from this letter appear in Chronology. The original is he...
Tolkien is happy to accept criticism of The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien writes to his eldest son, Father John Tolkien, saying that he will miss him at Christmas time but knows that he will see him soon. He says he is...
Tolkien writes to granddaughter Joan and says that he really enjoyed her birthday party, and that she is growing so fast. He has enclosed some money for...
Tolkien says he has had no time to revisit The Silmarillion, but hoping to in the near future. He makes a point to thank Rayner Unwin for all his help i...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a reader's encouraging letter. He writes that his work began during World War I and evolved into the invention of legend...
These are Tolkien's notes based on a review by W.H. Auden. He argues that his story is not an allegory of his personal experiences but a depiction of hu...
Tolkien writes to a Mr Sam Gamgee from Tooting. He mentions how he came up with the name Gamgee, and mentions "cotton-wool" and the Gamgee family from B...
Tolkien wrote to Christopher about #TCGLetter533.
Tolkien dismisses the idea that his story is an allegory of atomic power. Tolkien mentions the significance of humility and equality as spiritual princi...
Tolkien expresses his strong concern about the translation of The Lord of the Rings. As a professional linguist and the author of the work, he emphasize...
Tolkien tells Hugh that although he will be delighted to see him, there are few hobbits left in Old Marston and Old Headington.
Tolkien responded to Mrs. Wilson stating that The Lord of the Rings should really be read by adults, as it was not a work aimed at children.
Tolkien describes himself as a philologist, and sometime calligrapher. An index of Elvish names was intended to be produced, noting that his 'specialist...
Tolkien hoped that he would be able to publish parts of The Silmarillion After the success of The Lord of the Rings he hoped it may be reconsidered.
Tolkien expresses strong objections to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings. He vehemently opposes any alteration or translation of the nomenc...
Tolkien reflects on Frodo's role in the destruction of the Ring and discusses the theological implications of his actions. Tolkien rejects the notion of...
Tolkien responds to a letter discussing Frodo's perceived failure in the story. Tolkien defends Frodo's inability to surrender the Ring as an inevitable...
Tolkien discusses the concept of "accent" in the context of representing different languages, particularly the Common Speech (C.S.) in his legendarium. ...
Tolkien responds to Mr Tiller regarding a dramatic or semi-dramatic representation of The Lord of the Rings. He questions whether listeners unfamiliar w...
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien muses on his faith and how it brings him solace in times of trouble, he details how it helps, how it sometimes is a burd...
In regards to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says he has not the time or energy to be overly critical of it, and in any case ha...
Tolkien discusses Frodo's attitude towards weapons and clarifies that Frodo was not a modern "pacifist."
Tolkien says that work is still getting in the way of him spending any time on The Silmarillion. He is having trouble with a professor in America as wel...
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for being exhausted at their previous meeting and says he is recovering from a very stressful school term. He says that he ...
Tolkien mentions Jack Lewis and acknowledges having limited knowledge of Lewis's troubles. In the 2023 revised edition of Letters, a brief introductory ...
Tolkien discusses various matters including academic news, Hebrew, work with The Jerusalem Bible, the Book of Jonah. Excerpts from this letter were publ...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a letter from GA&U and contemplates the idea of retiring in July and reflects on the financial and health implications. ...
Tolkien expresses a personal openness to the idea of an animated motion picture based on his work.
Tolkien was not inclined to offer any biographical details, as he doubted their relevance. Though he does go on to give some biographical facts. This le...
Tolkien provides an explanation of Sauron's nature and his role in the world.
Tolkien informs Rayner that he has had a meeting with Forrest J. Ackerman, acting for three persons, who were interested in filming The Lord of the Ring...
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current script for the proposed film version of The Lord of the Rings. Previously, Wayne G. Hammond and Chris...
Tolkien describes his meeting with Sir Stanley Unwin and Mr Ackerman, they decided upon a policy to deal with film rights.
In response to a letter from Herbert Schiro asking about allegory in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien quite angrily dismisses these readings. Much of this...
Tolkien discusses a letter from Halsbury expressing admiration for the Silmarillion material and anticipation for its publication. Tolkien mentions a le...
Tolkien gives his thoughts to Rayner on the continuing work to try and turn the Lord of the Rings into a film. He gives his thoughts on the people wanti...
Tolkien congratulates Christopher on a paper that he gave at St Anne's College.
Tolkien thanks Ouboter for the invitation to the festival, and says he is mostly looking forward to it. He points out that his understanding of Dutch is...
Tolkien writes a letter thanking Mr. Ouboter regarding his visit to Holland. He says that the sooner he can return there, the better.
Tolkien describes in great detail his trip to Rotterdam.
Tolkien expresses his intent to review the "Story-Line" provided by Zimmerman for the animated film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien indicat...
Tolkien describes the 'message' in The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien discusses philology and the original meaning of words.
After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...
Tolkien describes Hobbit history and the process of giving and receiving gifts in the Shire.
Tolkien responds to questions, explaining the inspiration and meaning behind various elements in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien concludes by emphasizing...
Tolkien describes the creation of the World and then of the Dwarves by Aulë in draft that was never sent to Beare.
Tolkien discusses his decision on moving house after retirement, and his frustrations on the work being done to his current residence. He discusses how ...
Tolkien expresses reluctance to divulge personal details but acknowledges some significant facts about himself. He shares personal preferences, includin...
Tolkien expresses his hope that he will upon retirement, be able to work on a new Bible translation but expresses concerns for Edith's health and says t...
Writing to his son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the state of their house, and Edith's recovery from a broken arm. He also talks about his recent health s...
Tolkien declines to take part in a symposium on Children's writing in draft form, but ends up sending just a short note.
Tolkien tells Rayner that he would like his translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to be published next and details his work on Ancrene Wisse. H...
Tolkien declines an appointment as a member of a Board of Examiners.
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...
Tolkien replies about an English usage question referring to has or have.
Tolkien discusses his retirement.
A Cambridge cat breeder had asked if she could register a litter of Siamese kittens under names taken from The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien had hoped to see Mitchison but her letter "twice delayed" had not reached Tolkien until it was too late. He gives an update on life and remarks ...
Tolkien writes to D. M. Hawke (First Assistant Registrar, Oxford University) on the Board of the Faculty of English about his retirement.
Tolkien writes to Rayner about his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl.
Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the "Scunthorpe lists" he has also continued work on The Silmarillion, and can say that it is in an act...
Tolkien tells Rayner that he is getting to his work on the translations of Sir Gawain and Pearl, in addition to The Silmarillion, however the arrival of...
Tolkien asks Rayner's thoughts on publishing small or minor bits having to do with the Ring Cycle. He says that he is being asked for these, and that th...
Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has been sent five more copies of Sagam om Ringen, he notes that Swedish is not especially popular in Eng...
Tolkien tells Jane Neave that he will send her "a long instalment" for reference.
Writing to Rayner Unwin, Tolkien tells him that he has had very little time for literary work of late, but says that the latest royalty check from The H...
Tolkien's publishing commitments are catching up with him. Chronology reproduced a slightly longer selection of the letter than what appears in Letters....
Tolkien comments on the C.S. Lewis book Studies in Words.
Puffin Books, via Margaret S. Clark, had requested the rights to publish a paperback edition of The Hobbit on 30 November. After hearing of this from Ra...
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. Tolkien also writ...
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...
Tolkien writes about including the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings in translations. Quoted selections from the letter appear in Chronology that are ...
Tolkien writes to Father Alex Jones apologizing for being late in his submission to the new Bible translation project, and says that he has been stuck i...
Tolkien’s commentary on Åke Ohlmarks’ introduction to the Swedish translation of The Lord of the Rings.
Answering various questions about The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy of original letter with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane about publishing Tom Bombadil.
Tolkien describes the changes to the town of Oxford since he has been living there. He says that many of the changes are not for the better, noise, cong...
Tolkien talks about his pre-WWI trip to the Alps.
Allen & Unwin agree to publish The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
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...
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...
Tolkien has read the Puffin Hobbit and was not impressed with changes made to the book. Chronology contains additional quoted material beyond what appea...
Tolkien discusses progress with The Adventures of Tom Bombadil. Chronology contains additional material quoted beyond what appears in Letters. The origi...
Writing to his aunt, Jane Neave, and in a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien says that fan mail keeps arriving, some of it is interesting an...
Writing to Alina Dadlez, Tolkien explains his displeasure at the Spanish translation of 'Hobbit' and remarks back to the "private fancies" of the transl...
Tolkien informs Rayner Unwin that he is now "in residence" until 2 October and will return on 10 October as he is once again involved in term. He is sta...
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...
Tolkien writes about his lecture 'English and Welsh' and about 'Leaf by Niggle'.
Tolkien says that as Rayner knows, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil began, with his Aunt Jane. he asks that a complimentary copy be sent to her and charge...
In secret, Allen & Unwin had been putting a 'Festschrift' together to present to Tolkien on his 70th birthday. Tolkien writes to to congratulate Rayner ...
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...
Tolkien gives thanks for a gift of a booklet on the Rosary and says that he has benefited from it tremendously. He gives his reasoning for coming to the...
Tolkien sends a Christmas message to Michael. He mentions sales figures for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and was very pleased that a ‘Festschrift’...
A fragment at the top of which Tolkien has written: ‘Comments on a criticism (now lost?) concerning Faramir & Eowyn (c. 1963).’
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...
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...
Tolkien answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. Marquette archives have a partial transcript along wit...
Allen & Unwin were to publish a paperback consisting of Tolkien’s lecture ‘On Fairy-stories’ and his short story ‘Leaf by Niggle’. An addition...
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...
Tolkien writes to Christopher to congratulate him in a way on being named a Fellow at Exeter College.
Tolkien thanks Michael for his letter. He gives him some fatherly advice and talks about his Christian faith. He was interested in how Michael George wa...
Tolkien writes about the death of C.S. Lewis.
Tolkien discusses the death of C.S. Lewis.
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 ...
Tyndall, an old boy of King Edward’s, Birmingham, had written to Tolkien recalling their schooldays together.
Tolkien writes to Christopher. He reflects on the unwillingness of contemporary society to discuss complicated issues in the public square, and alludes ...
Eileen Elgar wrote to Tolkien asking for information about The Silmarillion. Included in his reply was a nine page manuscript, with genealogical tree il...
An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. Hammond and Scull's Chronology mentions that this letter was started on May 13, but set...
Tolkien wrote that he usually typed letters because of his handwriting (which can be very difficult to read at times). He talks about the invention of h...
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...
Tolkien discusses Charles Williams and then explains why Tree and Leaf is called Tree and Leaf.
Blyton had asked Tolkien’s permission to compose a Hobbit Overture.
A comment on an article about C. S. Lewis by one of his former pupils, George Bailey, in The Reporter, 23 April 1964.
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...
Tolkien is not happy with the design of HMCo's Tree and Leaf.
Tolkien really does not like the design of HMCo's Tree and Leaf. He comments negatively on Carole Ward's proposal for a serialization of The Lord of the...
Tolkien was asked about his views on the works of C.S. Lewis.
In this letter from Tolkien to his grandson, who was studying at St. Andrew's University, Tolkien apologizes that his translations of Sir Gawain and the...
Tolkien talks about the death of Dr C.T. Onions and his memories of Fr. Francis.
Tolkien describes what happened to Shadowfax at the end of The Lord of the Rings (he went with Gandalf into the West).
Auden had asked Tolkien if the notion of the Orcs, an entire race that was irredeemably wicked, was not heretical.
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...
Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolog...
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...
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.
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...
Tolkien writes to Austin Olney, at Houghton Mifflin, with corrections and additions to The Two Towers.
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...
Tolkien apologizes once again for being late in getting work to Rayner, this time revisions on the 3rd edition of The Hobbit. He says that many revision...
Tolkien writes about The Silmarillion, the Númenórean legends, and his friendship with C.S. Lewis. He discusses the formation of the Tolkien Society o...
In August 1965 Ballantine Books produced the first ‘authorized’ American paperback of The Hobbit, without incorporating Tolkien’s revisions to the...
Tolkien, Edith and R.E. Havard, attend a performance of At the Drop of Another Hat on the 18th September 1965. Tolkien loved the show.
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...
Tolkien discusses money worries. Other parts of the letter are detailed in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology.
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...
Tolkien writes about a new UK paperback edition of The Hobbit. He comments on replacing the note explaining Bilbo's changed story and the two Thrains wi...
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...
Tolkien shoots down any idea of a "Tolkien Award" by Ace Books, and suspects that this is just a way for them to make themselves feel better about denyi...
An example of a stock reply to readers.
A brief one-page response to a birthday card that Plotz had sent to Tolkien. Tolkien corrects a Quenya phrase from that card.
Tolkien thinks it doesn’t make sense for Ace Books to spend the revenue from The Lord of the Rings sales on an award named after Tolkien, rather than ...
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...
Tolkien informs Scott that Ace Books have been in touch and offered an agreement. He notes that Ace have agreed to not reprint the book once current cop...
Tolkien writes about his reaction to Auden's comments on his house.
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...
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...
Tolkien writes about a bust being made of him. His daughter-in-Law is the sculpter and he has decided to have it cast in bronze at his own expense. It w...
Tolkien discusses the etymology of Mirkwood. Brief quotes from this letter included in Chronology show that he also talked about the typewriters he uses...
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about an interview with Philip Norman that appeared in The Sunday Times on 15 January 1967, The Hobbit Man. He wishes tha...
This letter, known as the Plotz Letter, or Plotz Declension was a letter written by Tolkien that contained manuscript notes regarding Quenya grammar. Th...
Mr. and Mrs. Tolkien's Mediterranean cruise. Work on books and manuscripts. Excerpts from the letter have been published in SEVEN, Volume 27 (p. 49). An...
Donald Swann had written to Tolkien expressing interest in his poem 'Errantry'. Tolkien replied that was interested in his suggestion but wondered if it...
Writing to Father Jones, Tolkien thanks him for including his name in the list of contributors of the New Jerusalem Bible, even though Tolkien feels lik...
Tolkien's grandson is studying at Oxford. Tolkien writes about his views on 'research' and reading Smith of Wootton Major the previous week instead of g...
Tolkien writes to Gene Wolf about the origin of "Orc" and "Warg".
Hooper had sent Tolkien a new volume of Lewis’s writings, which he had edited.
Tolkien had been sent details of a proposed ‘sequel’ to The Lord of the Rings that a ‘fan’ was going to write himself.
Tolkien was asked to be interviewed for The Scotsman.
Tolkien writes to R.B. McCallum, Master of Pembroke College, who asks that Tolkien remember the college in his will. Tolkien says he doesn't remember ma...
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...
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the current state of the Church and says that these need to be resolved in private, not with public comments....
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann including more material for his project. He thanks Swann for not cursing him. He has had long delays and while trying to ...
Tolkien writes to W.H. Auden and remarks that he was delighted to receive his letter, noting that it "did much to restore my spirits". He was pleased th...
Writing to Donald Swann on the matter of their book, The Road Goes Ever On, Tolkien provides much on the contents of the book, noting that the commentar...
Tolkien does not like the calligraphy being made by Samuel Hanks Bryant as filler for blank pages in The Road Goes Ever On. Tolkien objects to Swann usi...
Tolkien thanks Rayner for his friendship.
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...
White had written to Tolkien asking for information regarding the Inklings. Tolkien replies with some brief information "from memory". He says that the ...
In the Revised edition of Letters, there is brief extract where Tolkien talks about his serious health issues and complains about Joy Hill saying it was...
Tolkien thanks Green for his review of Smith of Wootton Major.
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...
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...
Tolkien is not happy to be asked to be photographed pretending to be at work.
Tolkien writes about Sarehole Mill.
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...
On 17 June, while preparing to move house, Tolkien fell downstairs and injured his leg. This letter was written from hospital in Oxford.
Tolkien says that between his recent injury and recover, Edith's health problems, and recently moving house, all his papers and other belongs are unorga...
Tolkien writes to Michael about his trip to Switzerland and writes about his own trip in 1911. He also talks about 'trends' in the Catholic Church and h...
Amy sent Tolkien some Port and Sherry.
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...
Tolkien wishes Christopher a happy 1969.
Tolkien replies to a letter from Amy Ronald. He explains his names and the different ways that family and friends address him.
Writing to a fan, who published a review of The Hobbit, Tolkien responds by saying that he enjoyed the review, and is sending him a little book but not ...
Rayner Unwin’s daughter Camilla was told, as part of a school ‘project’, to write and ask: ‘What is the purpose of life?’
Tolkien and Edith are not well and feeling cut-off.
Tolkien discusses his love of botany.
Tolkien wishes he had an 'elven' grammar and vocabulary.
Tolkien writes about teaching.
Tolkien discusses his problems with progressing with the Silmarillion. An additional portion of the letter has been quoted on Michael Tolkien's website.
Tolkien visited Nottingham with Rayner Unwin on 2nd May 1970. Tolkien received an Honorary D. Litt. Tolkien writes about a student demonstration that to...
Tolkien sends a copy of an article that he had written, and he also mentions an anecdote of a story, the name of which he cannot remember.
Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
Tolkien writes to Amy about his house and plans for Christmas.
Tolkien reminisces about A.S. Napier.
Tolkien writes to Roger about his thoughts on the origin of the word Hobbit.
Tolkien had written to Roger Lancelyn Green to try and find out about a story he remembers reading in Childhood. The story was "Puss-cat Mew" by E. H. K...
Tolkien discusses Galadriel. He notes that he owes much of her character to Catholocism and Christian teachings.
Tolkien describes the Caverns of Helm's Deep as being influenced by Cheddar Gorge.
Tolkien writes about progress on the Silmarillion.
Tolkien describes his visit to Sidmouth.
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 ...
Tolkien sends signed copies of his book The Adventures of Tom Bombadil to Mrs Robertson and discusses the biblical parallels to the current weather.
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...
Tolkien writes to Rayner about his becoming Chairman of GA&U. A brief quote about Edith's health is reproduced in Chronology.
Tolkien replies to Dr. Boyer about W.H. Auden whom he regarded as a "great friend" and supporter. In a handwritten postscript (or separate undated lette...
Tolkien talks about The Lord of the Rings and confesses that he feels it no longer belongs to him.
Tolkien shares his views on author's biographies.
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...
Tolkien writes to Michael about how little time he has to work on The Silmarillion and about any prospects of feature films, he believes that no films w...
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 ...
Tolkien discusses Hobbits and mentions that he will be in an upcoming edition of The Sunday Times. Broadmoor Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hos...
Tolkien has been ill and worried about where he is going to live, he is staying with family members while he decides on a permanent location to live.
Tolkien writes to his son about the very generous accommodation offered to him by Merton College in Oxford.
Tolkien invites Rayner and his wife to visit him in his new flat at Merton.
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...
Tolkien had moved to 21 Merton Street in Oxford. Lord Halsbury had offered to help him with book moving. Tolkien thanks him but declines his offer and t...
Tolkien explains that he does not have time to comment on his works.
Tolkien writes about being a cult figure.
Tolkien discusses the sources of The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?
On the 3rd June 1972, Tolkien is awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Vice Chancellor of Oxford University (Lord Bullock; then Sir Alan Bullock)....
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 ...
Tolkien discusses the various meals that he has been treated to.
Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&U's headquarters.
Tolkien discusses his living situation at Merton College. His fame forces him to live behind locked doors.
Tolkien is asked about Elvish names for bulls and herds of cattle.
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...
Tolkien declines to discuss C.S. Lewis and states that he is still trying to work on The Silmarillion.
Tolkien talks about numerals in The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
A continuation of #Letter342, where Tolkien continues to discuss naming animals.
Tolkien expounds upon Gandalf's statement "He that breaks a thing to find out what it is have left the path of wisdom" when responding to someones "dest...
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...
Tolkien details his thoughts on a recent article about him in a paper, and what he thought should have been written about. He then tells the respondent ...
Tolkien writes, thanking Lanier for the book The War for the Lot by Lanier himself. Tolkien says that he found it quite original, and frightening. Tolki...
Tolkien responds an enquiry about Galadriel.
Tolkien writes to Clyse S. Kilby regarding his health issues. Kilby remarks in his article 'Woodland Prisoner' from SEVEN Vol. 27 that this was the last...
Tolkien discusses the origins of the name Tolkien.
Tolkien writes about the process of writing letters, a very relevant topic to be included.
Tolkien writes to Christopher Wiseman and thinks of his friends in the T.C.B.S.
Tolkien writes to Christopher about his trip to the Tolhursts and news of Priscilla's holiday in Crete.
Tolkien is pleased that The Hobbit is being translated into Icelandic.
Tolkien writes about his current views on Galadriel which changed frequently through out his life.
This letter to Priscilla was written four days before Tolkien's death. Tolkien had a difficult day, losing his bank card and money, and having trouble m...
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Appearing in Carpenter's Revised Letters
(508 letters match)1914
c. 22 or 23 (or 26*) October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1
Carpenter #1
Written during Tolkien's final undergraduate year at Oxford. Describes his studies and social interactions. Note on the dating of this letter: Humphrey ...
27 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#2
Carpenter #2
Writing to Edith, Tolkien describes his day. He had dinner with "a man called Earp" and attends a meeting of the Essay Club where he reads from his Voya...
1915
26 November 1915
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#3
Carpenter #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 ...
1916
2 March 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#4
Carpenter #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 t...
12 August 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to G. B. Smith
#5
Carpenter #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
#6
Carpenter #6
Tolkien writes to the wife of Joseph Wright thanking her for sending him her article about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and some kind comments about ...
1925
27 June 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to [University of Oxford Electors]
#7
Carpenter #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 ...
22 July 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to Vice Chancellor of Leeds University
#8
Carpenter #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...
1934
21 January 1934
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien
#1364
Carpenter #8a
Writing to his son John, Tolkien asks about the credits he will take and also that he noted that his German books remained in his trunk after his holida...
1936
10 August 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1367
Carpenter #8b
Writing to, Christopher, Tolkien says he misses his son but that he is glad Christopher’s little holiday has begun with fine weather. He discusses the...
21 October 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1368
Carpenter #8c
Tolkien sends birthday wishes for his son Michael. He says that he has heard from John that he is short of cash and apologizes for his lack of help but ...
1937
4 January 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Susan Dagnall
#9
Carpenter #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
#10
Carpenter #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
#11
Carpenter #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...
12 February 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1369
Carpenter #11a
Tolkien replies to Michael's letter. It appears that Michael has opted to change his work, but Tolkien would like to talk with Welch & Bostock first bef...
?10 March 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1370
Carpenter #11b
Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth of GA&U acknowledging the two drawings which were “safely received”, he has placed them in the correct positions among...
13 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#12
Carpenter #12
Concerning Tolkien's corrections to the text of The Hobbit, the cost of those corrections, and who would incur that cost, as well as details of his subm...
c. 16 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien
#1371
Carpenter #11c
Tolkien writes to his daughter Priscilla in April, 1937 while he is away on a walking tour of Somerset. He hopes to see her tomorrow. He remarks that he...
13 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#13
Carpenter #13
This two-page handwritten letter contains some of Tolkien's thoughts on the potential publication of The Hobbit in the USA. Tolkien can make illustratio...
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#14
Carpenter #14
In this three-page handwritten letter, Tolkien writes to his publisher about the release date for The Hobbit, going on at length about how it would be b...
31 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin)
#15
Carpenter #15
Tolkien sends the last two colour drawings for the American edition of The Hobbit and asks GA&U to send it on to Houghton Mifflin. he also asks about a ...
17 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1372
Carpenter #15a
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, apologizes for sounding ungrateful to him. Unwin had sent Tolkien a much welcomed cheque. He hopes that the Hobbit ea...
2 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1373
Carpenter #15b
Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
3 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#16
Carpenter #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 f...
15 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#19
Carpenter #17
Tolkien was pleased that The Hobbit was being well received, though he knows that the two glowing, unsigned reviews in The Times and the Times Literary ...
23 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#21
Carpenter #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." ...
22 November 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.V. Gordon
#1374
Carpenter #18a
Writing to his friend and colleague E.V. Gordon, Tolkien says of Gordon that he has been treated badly. He says that he cannot help enough on the Pearl ...
16 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#22
Carpenter #19
Tolkien has received a letter from Arthur Ransome, who wonders about the use of the word "man" in The Hobbit, as well as a few other letters from reader...
19 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#23
Carpenter #20
"I have written the first chapter of a new story about Hobbits – 'A long expected party'" remarks Tolkien in this letter to C.A. Furth of GA&U. This i...
1938
1 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#24
Carpenter #21
Originally published as just a fragment of a letter, asking if Rayner Unwin was interested to read the "sequel to The Hobbit". In the revised 2023 editi...
4 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#25
Carpenter #22
Tolkien sends to his publisher, the first chapter of a new book, the sequel to The Hobbit. ‘A Long-expected Party’, the first chapter of this book, ...
17 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#26
Carpenter #23
Tolkien replies to C.A. Furth regarding the return of Mr. Bliss. Tolkien expresses regret for any trouble caused and wishes someone could redraw the pic...
18 February 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#27
Carpenter #24
In this two page handwritten letter, Tolkien thanks Unwin's son Rayner for his positive feedback on the first chapter of the new book, "A Long-Expected ...
20 February 1938*
J.R.R. Tolkien to Editor of the Observer
#28
Carpenter #25
Tolkien responds to a request, likely from a researcher or enthusiast, regarding the origins and inspirations behind his work, particularly The Hobbit. ...
4 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#30
Carpenter #26
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin about C.S. Lewis's Out of the Silent Planet and gives him an update on progress with the sequel to The Hobbit. He also m...
12 March 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#31
Carpenter #27
Tolkien expresses reluctance to create drawings of hobbits and suggests leaving such tasks to someone with artistic skills. He provides a description of...
June 4th 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#32
Carpenter #28
Tolkien thanks Stanley Unwin for the excellent news from America, where The Hobbit is selling well and it has won a prize of $250. Rayner's review of th...
24 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#35
Carpenter #31
Tolkien bemoans The Hobbit being published in 1937 over 1938. His work pressure has left him hard-pressed to get into actions on the sequel. Tolkien has...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#33
Carpenter #29
Tolkien wrote to Stanley Unwin in response to a letter from a German publisher, Rütten & Loening Verlag. They wanted to publish a German translation of...
25 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rütten & Loening Verlag
#34
Carpenter #30
Rütten & Loening Verlag, the German publisher enquired about publishing a German translation of The Hobbit. As part of their conditions they wanted to ...
27 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Masefield
#36
Carpenter #32
Tolkien responds to Mr. Masefield regarding the lines provided for a performance. Tolkien expresses no objection to being preceded by the lines and defe...
31 August 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#37
Carpenter #33
Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...
13 October 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#38
Carpenter #34
In this letter to Stanley Unwin, J.R.R. Tolkien discusses his recent intense work on a sequel to The Hobbit, which has reached Chapter XI. He expresses ...
1939
2 February 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#39
Carpenter #35
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien offers an update with his work on The Lord of the Rings. He has not worked on since December but feels it is a better wor...
10 February 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#51
Carpenter #36
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien expresses gratitude for the enclosed cheque for royalities for 1938 and an advance of the royalties from Houghton Mifflin...
1 March 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1375
Carpenter #36a
Tolkien offers his sympathies to his son Michael as he has been bedridden with a bad cold. He has been very busy and feels he has neglected his son with...
15 September 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Phillip Unwin
#1376
Carpenter #36b
Tolkien updates Phillip Unwin on the current situation at universities given the news of war with Germany. He says there will be a reduced demand, but s...
19 December 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#52
Carpenter #37
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...
1940
30 March 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#53
Carpenter #38
Tolkien apologizes for his previous behavior and explains that he misunderstood the nature of the requested contribution for the book Beowulf. He expres...
12 July 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1377
Carpenter #38a
Tolkien replies to a letter from his son Michael where he had evidently spoken about his feelings about events of the world, studies, etc. Tolkien is re...
29 September 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#54
Carpenter #39
Tolkien describes the departure of evacuees, railway workers and their families, who had sought refuge during wartime. Tolkien observes the scenes with ...
6 October 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#55
Carpenter #40
Tolkien's son Michael had volunteered in the army, and Tolkien expresses his deep regret about the disruption to his university education due to militar...
20 October 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1378
Carpenter #40a
Tolkien hopes that Christopher has not had air raids recently. He notes that he is very lonely without him close to home. Tolkien has been busy with ter...
1941
2 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#56
Carpenter #41
After addressing overdue correspondence, Tolkien mentions resuming work on his sequel to The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, but anticipates the impendin...
12 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#57
Carpenter #42
To son Michael, Tolkien describes the dreary and busy time with foul weather, shares a humorous incident involving snuff at a pub, mentions committee wo...
26 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1379
Carpenter #42a
Tolkien sends Christopher some money, and reminds him that it is important to remember birthdays, especially his mother’s. Tolkien then goes on to rem...
1 February 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1380
Carpenter #42b
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien remarks on the work of typing up "Hobbit" and how Edith and Priscilla are getting along. He then promises to write more.
23 February 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1381
Carpenter #42c
Tolkien says that he has neglected Christopher of late. He briefly mentions a trip out with Warnie Lewis and ‘Honest Humphrey’ Harvard. He and Micha...
6-8 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#58
Carpenter #43
In a comprehensive letter, J.R.R. Tolkien reflects on relationships between men and women, addressing physical, friendly, and romantic dimensions. He de...
12 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#114
Carpenter #43a
Tolkien’s second son Michael evidently has informed his parents of his attachment to Joan Griffiths, a nurse at the Worcester Royal Infirmary, and Tol...
18 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#59
Carpenter #44
Identifying more with his Suffield heritage than his Tolkien name, Tolkien expresses a deep connection to Worcestershire, considering it "home" due to h...
9 June 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#60
Carpenter #45
In a letter to his son Michael, Tolkien expresses his struggles with writing due to constant rain and increased responsibilities. He sympathizes with go...
26 November 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chapman
#61
Carpenter #46
Tolkien reflects on his time in Leeds from 1920 to 1925, associating it with Gordon and expressing gratitude for his kindness and encouragement. The aut...
1942
7 December 1942
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#62
Carpenter #47
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the note from Stanley Unwin and discusses the progress of the sequel to The Hobbit that he has been working on since 193...
1943
20 April 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis
#63
Carpenter #48
Tolkien expresses sympathy for Lewis' illness and suggests the possibility of meeting on Wednesdays while discussing the challenges hindering their meet...
April 1943*
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis
#64
Carpenter #49
Writing to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien critiques views on Christian marriage and divorce, pointing out what he sees as a confusion in the argument presented in ...
28 July 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1383
Carpenter #49a
Tolkien was glad to get Christopher's letter, he had been waiting to write, needing his new address. He mentions the weather, and fruits which are growi...
1 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1384
Carpenter #49b
Tolkien details a visit to Collegiate Church and describes the building. He then remarks on the people buried there and gives some historical context.
8 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1385
Carpenter #49c
Christopher had apparently been having a bad week, and Tolkien writes with his sympathies. He says to not spend “precious time” on letter writing, t...
13 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1386
Carpenter #49d
Tolkien has organized the next R.N.-R.A.F. course, he will have around 40 cadets and has to attend the Passing Out Parade of the R.N. tomorrow. He is al...
19 September 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1387
Carpenter #49e
Tolkien asks how Christopher has been getting on with flight training, he says that he has been very busy with letters and chores, but did manage to hea...
25 October 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#65
Carpenter #50
Tolkien describes how trees look at 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
#85
Carpenter #51
Tolkien describes meeting C.E.B. Joad the night before at dinner with C.S. Lewis, and talks a bit about Joad's visit to Russia. The dinner is described ...
3 November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1388
Carpenter #51a
Tolkien had not managed to send Christopher his pipe yesterday, and sends it on to him with this letter. He and Edith received a long letter and were ha...
10 November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1389
Carpenter #51b
Tolkien reports that he is tired, but has managed to get things done in his usual “programme”. He notes that he has heard two chapters from Charles ...
29 November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#86
Carpenter #52
Tolkien reflects on the challenging and disheartening circumstances of the time, including the impact of war, propaganda, and the bleak conditions of li...
9 December 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#87
Carpenter #53
Writing to son Christopher, Tolkien reflects on the challenges and monotony of daily life during a turbulent period, expressing a sense of isolation due...
15 December 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1390
Carpenter #53a
Tolkien writes to Christopher after hearing from his brother Michael that Christopher had been unwell again. Tolkien updates him on home life, with Edit...
1944
6 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1391
Carpenter #53b
Tolkien replies to a letter from Christopher, he is glad to hear from him and notes his instructions for his tobacco. He has prayed constantly for his s...
8 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#88
Carpenter #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 ...
18 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#89
Carpenter #55
Tolkien apologizes to Christopher for the delay in writing and shares details of recent activities, including giving lectures, discussing Cardiff with G...
25 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1392
Carpenter #55a
Tolkien has not written for a week and speaks of his “shame of letting a whole week go”. He has been praying for Christopher constantly though. Tolk...
1 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#90
Carpenter #56
Tolkien notes the lack of humorous anecdotes due to limited social interactions in recent weeks. He also mentions an encounter with Lewis, who is energe...
27 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1393
Carpenter #56a
Tolkien says they have received many letters from Christopher, he will feel much better when he knows that he has received theirs. Tolkien notes that he...
30 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#91
Carpenter #57
Tolkien had an outing, seeing the two Lewis brothers and having lunch with C.S. Lewis. During the meeting, Lewis read part of a new story.
3 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#92
Carpenter #58
Tolkien recounts recent events, including a cycle ride to Pembroke, a train journey to Birmingham, and a visit to his hometown. During the train journey...
5 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#93
Carpenter #59
Tolkien shares his commitment to completing The Lord of the Rings, expressing the challenges of re-reading and researching while working on the adventur...
8 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1033
Carpenter #59a
Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
13 April 1944 (continued on 15 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#94
Carpenter #60
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a recently received airletter, shares updates about writing progress on The Lord of the Rings and mentions spending time...
18 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#95
Carpenter #61
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving a batch of letters and, discusses the distressing but unsurprising uncensored accounts of Christopher's experiences, ...
23 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#96
Carpenter #62
Tolkien gives Christopher an update on his progess on The Two Towers, the second book of The Lord of the Rings. He has read the second chapter, "Passage...
24 April 1944 (continued 26 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#97
Carpenter #63
Tolkien had received an airletter from Christopher that morning and he read it while enjoying breakfast in bed. He describes the events of St. George's ...
30 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#98
Carpenter #64
Tolkien writes of his longing and concern for Christopher in the midst of war, reflecting on human suffering and the senselessness of conflict. Despite ...
4 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#99
Carpenter #65
Having read another chapter to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien is now writing the next, and will send Christopher copies as soon as possible.
6 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#100
Carpenter #66
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathizes wi...
11 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#101
Carpenter #67
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attended church ...
12 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#102
Carpenter #68
Tolkien spent a morning writing The Lord of the Rings and is now in sight of Minas Morghul. He has been gardening in the midday heat. he expresses his r...
14 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#103
Carpenter #69
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien updates him on his progress writing The Lord of the Rings. He had needed to sort the study, and "attend to business". He...
21 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#104
Carpenter #70
Tolkien apologizes for the lapse in correspondence. He gives an update on writing of The Lord of the Rings. He reads for Lewis and Williams and both men...
25 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#142
Carpenter #71
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the letters he has received from Christopher and briefly mentions an inclination to envy his time in the hills. Tolkien ...
31 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#143
Carpenter #72
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" were very easy to talk to. Lew...
10 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#144
Carpenter #73
Tolkien acknowledges receiving Christopher's air letter and briefly mentions the weather. He provide updates on recent activities, including efforts in ...
27 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1395
Carpenter #73a
Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel “worn out”. He mentions that he had received a ...
29 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#145
Carpenter #74
Stanley Unwin had sent Tolkien a large cheque as payment of royalties on The Hobbit, and mentions that Rayner is now at Oxford reading English. Tolkien ...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1396
Carpenter #74a
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#146
Carpenter #75
Tolkien opens this letter by mentioning that he is writing this letter using his new "midget type" typewriter cartridges. These could be interchanged an...
28 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#165
Carpenter #76
Tolkien discusses the name Sam Gamgee, agreeing with Christopher's opinion and explaining the choice to emphasize the character's comic, peasantry, and ...
31 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#166
Carpenter #77
Tolkien reports in a newly published portion that he had received Christopher's airletter of 24 July. He says that his day on Friday was “grim”, as ...
12 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#167
Carpenter #78
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters, encouraging openness about details of his life. He offers support for navigating challenges and express the n...
22 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#168
Carpenter #79
Tolkien reflects on the cultural landscape, comparing Kroonstad, seen as a genuine product of their culture, with Jo'burg's aspirations. He expresses co...
3 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#169
Carpenter #80
Priscilla has been struggling with The Ballad of the White Horse and trying to parts of it to her has made Tolkien realize it isn't as good as he rememb...
19 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby
#1397
Carpenter #80a
Tolkien writes to G.E. Selby, a family friend agreeing to act as a referee for his application to a post. In a newly published extract, of this previous...
20 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1398
Carpenter #80b
Tolkien says that he has now seen Rayner twice. He regrets that he has not been able to help him but remarks on what a fine young man he is. He hopes th...
23-25 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#170
Carpenter #81
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving an airgraph before Christopher's departure to Standerton. He discusses the progress of the chapters and promises to s...
30 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#171
Carpenter #82
Engaged in revision, Tolkien reflects on the chapter "King of the Golden Hall" and finds it to be rather good with the perspective of time.
6 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#172
Carpenter #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
#173
Carpenter #84
Tolkien has discovered a severe problem in timing for events in The Lord of the Rings, and will require much work to fix. He has sent a copy of Leaf by ...
16 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#174
Carpenter #85
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings is giving Tolkien trouble, but with some small changes to the map and a few extra days here and there seem to hav...
23 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#175
Carpenter #86
Tolkien has just seen a "skywide armada" fly overhead, but thinks he can mention it in his letter because it will be long gone before any risk of the ne...
25 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#176
Carpenter #87
Tolkien sends the last two chapters of the fourth book of The Lord of the Rings, and quotes from a letter he has received from a fan who has read The Ho...
28 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#177
Carpenter #88
A very short excerpt (three sentences) where Tolkien mentions the fading of the current year into "dull grey mournful darkness", and wonders what the ne...
1 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1399
Carpenter #88a
Tolkien was interested to hear that Christopher had run into “another of the Unwins”, Harold Unwin, a.k.a Chris. He says that Rayner was at Blackwel...
7-8 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#178
Carpenter #89
In regards to Christopher's mentioning of his guardian angel , Tolkien worried that Christopher's was very much needed. which reminded him of a vision h...
13 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1400
Carpenter #89a
Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and he notes how Lewis had been interested in the “angelic question” which Tolkien had mentioned to him in an earlier le...
24 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#179
Carpenter #90
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving several letters from Christopher and comments on the amusing account of the Wings ceremony. He appreciates the mentio...
29 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#216
Carpenter #91
Tolkien sends a small consignment of "The Ring," consisting of the last two chapters that have been written and the end of the Fourth Book. The hero is ...
29 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1401
Carpenter #91a
Tolkien says that he gave two lectures yesterday, which was an “appalling” day of weather but that he had an excellent morning “at the Bird” wit...
4 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1402
Carpenter #91b
Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
10 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1403
Carpenter #91c
Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
18 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#217
Carpenter #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
#218
Carpenter #93
Tolkien expresses joy that Christopher enjoyed the next three chapters of "The Ring" and provides information about the schedule for sending the remaini...
28 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#219
Carpenter #94
Tolkien is happy to get so many letters from Christopher, and is very pleased that the third batch of Ring material has gotten to Christopher and that h...
1945
7 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1404
Carpenter #94a
Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
9 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1405
Carpenter #94b
Tolkien continues to talk about the movie he and Edith saw remarking that his “mind and heart” are still thinking of it. He says that it has the qua...
15 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1406
Carpenter #94c
Tolkien says that he is still “under the influence” of the movie he and Edith saw a week ago and continues to talk about religion, God, and other as...
18 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#220
Carpenter #95
Tolkien has been enjoying reading Stenton's Anglo-Saxon England, and wishes he had a time-machine. Tolkien tells Christopher that this is the history "o...
30 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#221
Carpenter #96
Tolkien describes some domestic plumbing troubles that prevented him from meeting up with Lewis in the morning, but the eventually managed to make it to...
11 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#222
Carpenter #97
Tolkien describes a letter he has written to the Catholic Herald, in rebuttal to someone who thinks Coventry is derived from Convent.
17 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1407
Carpenter #97a
Tolkien says that he is finding lectures hard work, and that he is tired. He is surprised that he does not have written notes for Beowulf beyond approx....
23 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.H. Connor
#1408
Carpenter #97b
Tolkien discusses Chaucer, saying he had “little learning”, some Latin skill but lacked the talent for prose. Also on this day Tolkien's letter to t...
12 March 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1409
Carpenter #97c
Tolkien writes to Christopher while in working with Cadets at the Taylorian . He is missing his son and wishes he could see him. He gives an update on t...
Undated (circa 18 March 1945)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#223
Carpenter #98
Tolkien expresses deep concern about Rayner, who is off to war, and mentions that his son Christopher has become great friends with Chris Unwin. One of ...
29 April 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1410
Carpenter #98a
A short excerpt from Tolkien to Christopher after he had been on leave. He describes seeing him again as like having an old tooth with a "dulled ache". ...
15 May 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Florence (Michal) Williams
#224
Carpenter #99
Tolkien expresses sympathy to Ms. Williams and her son, and his grief over the loss of her husband Charles Williams. The transcript in Carpenter's Lette...
29 May 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#225
Carpenter #100
Tolkien remarks that he would be comforted if Christopher could be re-commissioned out of the R.A.F. Christopher had recently returned from service. He ...
3 June 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#247
Carpenter #101
The Civil Defense was staging a stand-down parade Tolkien felt was mockery, because "Wars are always lost".
9 August 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#248
Carpenter #102
Tolkien expresses profound horror and disbelief at the news of atomic bombs, describing the scientists involved as "lunatic physicists" and condemning t...
9 October 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#124
Carpenter #102a
Tolkien writes to his son Christopher, informing him that the Inklings propose to consider him a permanent member. An extract from the letter appears in...
11 October 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#249
Carpenter #103
Tolkien took a new position, the Merton Professorship of English Language and Literature, and remarks on the occasion.
22 October 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#250
Carpenter #104
Tolkien and the dons met, chatted and had dinner among other activities.
1946
21 July 1946
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#251
Carpenter #105
Tolkien writes to Sir Stanley Unwin, who had just been knighted. He asked about Farmer Giles. And remarks on his progress to The Hobbit sequel among oth...
30 September 1946
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#252
Carpenter #106
Tolkien expresses delight at the prospect of publishing "Farmer Giles of Ham" but cites academic commitments as a hindrance to providing more material p...
7 December 1946
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#253
Carpenter #107
Tolkien mentions receiving letters from Horus Engels regarding a German translation, and while Engels doesn't explicitly propose himself as a translator...
1947
5 May 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1412
Carpenter #107a
Tolkien notes to Stanley Unwin that he has received the agreement for Farmer Giles of Ham, he would also send revised manuscripts for it in July and he ...
5 July 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#254
Carpenter #108
Tolkien sends back the revised manuscript of Farmer Giles of Ham for publication. He has carefully gone through it, making alterations to improve both s...
31 July 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#255
Carpenter #109
Tolkien responded to Rayner Unwin's comments about The Fellowship of the Ring. He talks about allegory as well as other literary illusions. Tolkien ment...
20 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#256
Carpenter #110
Tolkien provides information about the origin and authorship of the riddles included in their work. He clarifies that most of the riddles are their orig...
21 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#257
Carpenter #111
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in responding to a letter sent in July and explains that he has been preoccupied with philology due to academic commitm...
30 September 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1036
Carpenter #111a
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin with regard to his visit of Merton College's estates in Cambridge, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire between 22 and 25 Se...
30 November 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#140
Carpenter #112
Katharine Farrer had written to Tolkien, in runes, asking if he would sign her copy of The Hobbit. Tolkien replies to her letter in runes. He says that ...
1948
25 January 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.S. Lewis
#265
Carpenter #113
Tolkien and Lewis corresponded about what was being read aloud at an Inklings meeting. This was part of a larger conversation surrounding what they were...
7 April 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#266
Carpenter #114
Tolkien expresses pleasure that Brogan enjoyed "The Hobbit" and mentions his ongoing work on a longer piece set in the same world, providing details abo...
15 June [?1948]
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#267
Carpenter #115
Tolkien opens this letter with apologies for his delayed reply. He says that he must have appeared ungrateful, but not only was he grateful, he was exci...
5 August 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#268
Carpenter #116
GA&U had decided that Milein Cosman would illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham, a point that Tolkien did not approve of. He likened her artwork to that of Top...
31 October 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#269
Carpenter #117
Success! declares Tolkien. He has completed The Lord of the Rings and having been read by Rayner Unwin is approved. He does not think it will make any m...
25 December 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#270
Carpenter #118
Tolkien writes to Hugh Brogan using runes to wish him a happy Christmas. Hammond/Scull also note that Tolkien also sent Brogan another letter with menti...
1949
28 February 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#271
Carpenter #119
Tolkien declares to GA&U that he does not have the time to retype Farmer Giles of Ham, nor does he feel that it is required. He remarks that the typing ...
16 March 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#272
Carpenter #120
It has been decided that Pauline Baynes will now illustrate Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien is delighted with this news.
13 July 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#273
Carpenter #121
Tolkien discusses the progress of Farmer Giles and hints that the final draft of Lord of the Rings could be done something with.
18 December 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Naomi Mitchison
#136
Carpenter #122
A two page letter (single 5.5 x 7 inch sheet, both sides) in response to Mrs. Mitchison's praise of Farmer Giles of Ham. Tolkien mentions that FG was re...
20 December 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#1162
Carpenter #122a
Tolkien writes to Baynes making mention that Lewis had been in touch and wishes her a Happy Christmas. She (Baynes) is illustrating Lewis's Lion, Witch ...
1950
5 February 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman
#275
Carpenter #123
Tolkien had "dumped" the manuscript of The Lord of the Rings on Milton Waldman just as he was going on holiday, and Tolkien felt bad burdoning him with ...
24 February 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#276
Carpenter #124
Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, mentioning various topics but chief among them is The Lord of the Rings. Stranded without a publisher, and the work now...
10 March 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#277
Carpenter #125
Tolkien compares his two great stories the War of the Ring and the War of the Jewels and remarks on the Farmer Giles sales figures.
10 March 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman
#293
Carpenter #126
Unwin wants to break up Tolkien's "monstrous Saga", and Tolkien hopes Unwin will let the project go so Tolkien can publish The Lord of the Rings and The...
14 April 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#294
Carpenter #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.
#295
Carpenter #128
Tolkien was sent proofs for a new edition of The Hobbit and remarks on how The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are interlinked. He was not expecting hi...
4 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#1415
Carpenter #128a
Writing to Hugh Brogan, Tolkien notes that he does not know what is happening with The Lord of the Rings which he had hoped would be published this year...
10 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#296
Carpenter #129
Tolkien writes about the new revised edition of The Hobbit.
14 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#297
Carpenter #130
Tolkien sends in a new version of CH 5 of the Hobbit.
9 October 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#1416
Carpenter #130a
Tolkien in a letter to Hugh Brogan gives him some updates on his health. He also says that “Drama” is a “bore”.
1951
1951 (late)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Milton Waldman
#152
Carpenter #131
Tolkien wrote this letter to Milton Waldman. Tolkien wanted his publisher, George Allen & Unwin, to publish both The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarill...
1952
10 February 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father John Tolkien
#314
Carpenter #132
Tolkien writes to his son John about a meal that he had with Lewis, which they called the 'ham-feast'.
23 March 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien
#1417
Carpenter #132a
Tolkien says that Edith is much happier but for the terrible noise in the street. He says that they will move into the room he currently uses as an offi...
22 June 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#315
Carpenter #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 Geor...
29 August 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#350
Carpenter #134
Tolkien expresses his eagerness to publish The Lord of the Rings as soon as possible. Tolkien plans to spend some days correcting the manuscript at his ...
21 October 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1418
Carpenter #134a
Tolkien writes to wish Michael a happy birthday for tomorrow. He is busy with work but offers his prayers and love to his son. He also mentions the arri...
24 October 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#351
Carpenter #135
Tolkien expresses regret for producing a substantial work like The Lord of the Rings during challenging times. He expresses gratitude for the recipient'...
12 November 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1419
Carpenter #135a
Tolkien replies to Rayner's letter and mentions his pleasure at the news of Allen & Unwin's decision to publish The Lord of the Rings.
1953
Not dated (1953)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Basil Blackwell
#1420
Carpenter #135b
Tolkien remarks to Basil Blackwell on the merits and shortcomings of a linguistic text being published in the near future. He points out that had he bee...
29 January 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael and Joan Tolkien
#1421
Carpenter #135c
Writing to his son Michael and daughter-in-law Joan, Tolkien gives an update on their move to a new house, to 76 Sandfield Road. He notes that the start...
11 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Norman Davis
#1422
Carpenter #135d
Tolkien notes how it has been some time since he wrote, he has been meaning to but has been getting his affairs in order with his house move. He says th...
24 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#352
Carpenter #136
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about the challenges he's faced leading up to the contract day for The Lord of the Rings. He is also concerned about Edit...
11 April 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#353
Carpenter #137
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in sending the revised manuscript for The Lord of the Rings. His move was incredibly challenging. Tolkien has finally c...
21 April 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Norman and Lena Davis
#1423
Carpenter #137a
Tolkien writing to Norman and Lena Davis begins by saying that he does not know how to call Davis, now that he has spent time with him and ate his “br...
5 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1424
Carpenter #137b
Tolkien asks Rayner Unwin for an update on galleys for The Lord of the Rings. He hopes that there will be little work as the copy was “pretty good”....
5 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1425
Carpenter #137c
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin asking if there will be opportunity for the book to be reviewed. He wants C.S. Lewis especially to be able to review the...
22 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby
#1426
Carpenter #137d
Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby of the BBC. Newby had been negotiating to broadcast some of Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain but pressures meant that he...
8 July 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby
#1427
Carpenter #137e
Tolkien writing to P.H. Newby of the BBC, apologies for his delay in sending the typescript of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which he has enclosed wi...
4 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#354
Carpenter #138
Tolkien expresses his frustration with the galleys of his work, The Lord of the Rings. He finds the process tedious and mentions that the printed versio...
8 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#355
Carpenter #139
Tolkien writes about The Lord of the Rings and he suggests some titles if it is published in three volumes. He was also concerned about whether the publ...
17 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#356
Carpenter #140
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Rayner's visit. He proposes titles for the volumes of The Lord of the Rings and his rationale behind the titles.
31 August 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1428
Carpenter #140a
Tolkien writes, reminding Rayner that he will be in London the following day, he hopes Rayner will have time to lunch with him. He will arrive at Museum...
3 September 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby
#1429
Carpenter #140b
The BBC had expressed a desire to split Sir Gawain into six episodes but Tolkien does not think he can improve the divisions further. But after consider...
23 September 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard
#1430
Carpenter #140c
Tolkien apologizes for his delay in providing comments on the drawings. He does not think them satisfactory. He says that he should have been more caref...
9 October 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#369
Carpenter #141
Tolkien expresses frustration and anxiety over the "maps", as he believed they were an essential part of The Lord of the Rings.
15 October 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby
#1431
Carpenter #141a
Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby, giving details of his various health issues at present. He is suffering from laryngitis, lumbago, and sciatica. He still h...
19 November 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1432
Carpenter #141b
Tolkien writes to Rayner, he has been struggling with ill-health through the term and only recently has he been able to deal with “many strands” of ...
30 November 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1433
Carpenter #141c
Tolkien will bring his copy of the third volume for GA&U to use for costing but says it is yet to be revised and will need to be returned to him. He hop...
1 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1434
Carpenter #141d
Tolkien writing to Rayner says that Volume Two reads “rather well” and notes that the first book contains very few errors. He hopes to arrive at the...
2 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray
#370
Carpenter #142
Robert Murray had offered Tolkien some thought on The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien replied that The Lord of the Rings is a Catholic work, describing it as...
10 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#1435
Carpenter #142a
Tolkien thanks Katharine Farrer for her “charity” at a time he is suffering illness. He felt that the Sir Gawain broadcast on BBC Radio was not espe...
1954
22 January 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#371
Carpenter #143
Tolkien writes about corrections to Book III and Book IV.
16 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1436
Carpenter #143a
Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has today, sent by registered, the proof for the “General Map” with a second map for 'Part of the Shi...
23 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1437
Carpenter #143b
Tolkien, writing to Allen & Unwin, encloses possible jacket designs, one for The Fellowship of the Ring, and another for The Two Towers. Describing them...
24 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1438
Carpenter #143c
Tolkien sends Allen & Unwin proofs of various pages and notes that included rune for “33” are not good, also “59” which he has previous explaine...
26 March 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1439
Carpenter #143d
Tolkien has drawn a sketch for Volume III, but says he won't show it to Rayner as it is not constructive to point out the artificial divisions in the vo...
15 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1440
Carpenter #143e
Further to #TCGLetter1438, Tolkien says that p. 33 passes, p. 59 is improved. He has discovered “2 or 3” errors in the runic decoration on the title...
25 April 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#372
Carpenter #144
Tolkien writes about his use of languages in the book and explains the challenges faced in creating maps for The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the dis...
3 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby
#1441
Carpenter #144a
In reply to a letter from P.H. Newby, Tolkien says that a talk on the Third Programme would be a suitable subject but notes that it would be a controver...
13 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#390
Carpenter #145
Tolkien is pleased with positive early opinions about his work. He notes his dissatisfaction with the Houghton Mifflin effort, and gives some suggestion...
3 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd, [to Ronald Eames]
#391
Carpenter #146
Tolkien does not approve of the proofs for the jacket of The Lord of the Rings, which he finds very ugly. He suggests some changes to the design of the ...
10 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1442
Carpenter #146a
Tolkien addresses queries about The Two Towers by Allen and Unwin's head reader. Tolkien found the close reading extraordinary. A large publisher will h...
15 June 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#392
Carpenter #147
Tolkien expresses his delight in receiving an advance copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, he finds the jacket much improved and striking, particularly l...
7 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#393
Carpenter #148
Tolkien expresses concerns about misprints in The Fellowship of the Ring. He highlights a disagreement over a botanical term, corrected by the printers....
18 August 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#1443
Carpenter #148a
Tolkien remarks on the morality of The Lord of the Rings and thanks the Farrer for paying close attention to such matters. He addresses the connections ...
9 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#394
Carpenter #149
Tolkien expresses his relief that the critiques were better than feared. He acknowledges the disadvantage of issuing the work in three parts, with criti...
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#395
Carpenter #150
Tolkien is unable to submit any of the Appendices. The delay is attributed to promises made in Volume I, which are proving very difficult to meet.
18 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#398
Carpenter #151
Tolkien shares thoughts on the fascination of The Lord of the Rings. The author hopes to include an upcoming note on translation. The letter ends with t...
23 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall
#399
Carpenter #152
Tolkien discusses the English dialogue in The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son that should be used in the BBC Radio programme. In the 2023 rev...
25 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#402
Carpenter #154
Tolkien responds to Mrs. Mitchison's kind letter and her generous and perceptive review of The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the complexity of the wor...
25 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#403
Carpenter #155
Tolkien responds to Mrs Mitchison's about the concept of "magic" in his works, particularly in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien acknowledges that it is a ...
late September 1954?
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Hastings
#401
Carpenter #153
Tolkien responds to a reader's extensive analysis and questions about The Lord of the Rings. Amongst many topics, Tolkien discusses the unique fate of H...
4 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Robert Murray
#404
Carpenter #156
Tolkien addresses several topics related to The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses the characters Smeagol and Gandalf (including the nature of the Ist...
27 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#405
Carpenter #157
Tolkien expresses regret for not having written or offered help during the recipient's difficult times, and suggests the possibility of contributing fun...
2 December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#406
Carpenter #158
Tolkien briefly mentions having only had time to glance at the Houghton Mifflin 'jacket' information. He thinks it was written by someone who hasn't rea...
20 December 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1444
Carpenter #158a
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for not having sent off the "main matter" earlier, and he details the hectic year he has had. "More than any one person cou...
1955
3 March 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dora Marshall
#407
Carpenter #159
Tolkien reflects on the challenges of getting their story published, expressing surprise and delight at the positive reception. Tolkien recalls a conver...
6 March 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#408
Carpenter #160
Tolkien regrets having promised the appendices to The Lord of the Rings. He acknowledges the demand for detailed information but is finding this very di...
14 April 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#409
Carpenter #161
Tolkien expresses frustration with creating a map for The Lord of the Rings.
18 April 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#410
Carpenter #162
Christopher Tolkien had re-drawn Tolkien's draft-map of the area of Gondor and Rohan.
26 May 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1445
Carpenter #162a
Tolkien is still not happy with the appendices going in with The Return of the King, but says that they will have to do. He remarks on the ability of th...
7 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to W. H. Auden
#476
Carpenter #163
Tolkien shares insights into the origins and inspirations behind his writing, particularly focusing on The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the evolution...
29 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#477
Carpenter #164
Tolkien describes a challenging and overwhelming period with an excessive workload, emphasizing the strain it has taken. He mentions booksellers, includ...
30 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Houghton Mifflin Co.
#478
Carpenter #165
Tolkien discusses some questions from The New York Times. He talks about the name, TOLKIEN, his ancestors, and even though he was born in Africa, he con...
5 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1446
Carpenter #165a
Tolkien notes that the proofs sent to him arrived later than expected and notes that this will hurry matters, after his "days of leisure" have been cut ...
15 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1447
Carpenter #165b
Tolkien received some additional proofs of The Return of the King back from the printers, and is still not happy with the result. He chalks it up to his...
22 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#479
Carpenter #166
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current proofreading procedure and raises concerns about potential errors in the published volume.
27 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1448
Carpenter #166a
Tolkien informs Rayner that he will be in "Gondor" for a few days, but doubts that anything urgent will come up while he is away.
11 August 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.N. Beard
#1449
Carpenter #166b
Tolkien says that he cannot answer Mr. Beard's questions until he is back home and has a proof copy of the final text of Return of the King to look at.
15 August 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher & Faith Tolkien
#480
Carpenter #167
Tolkien writes about his Italian holiday. Tolkien and Priscilla visited Assisi and Venice.
7 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery
#481
Carpenter #168
Tolkien responds to Mr. Jeffery's letter. Tolkien discusses the command of Elvish script and mentions the upcoming release of Volume III, which will inc...
8 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#1450
Carpenter #168a
Tolkien remarks that his holiday in Italy only made him more tired and not at all rested. Combined with his anxieties over the Return of the King releas...
11 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#482
Carpenter #169
Tolkien was asked about 'Numinor' in C.S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength and responds that it is a form of unintended borrowing. Tolkien clarifies that t...
18 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#517
Carpenter #171
Tolkien addresses the criticism of his use of deliberate archaism in his writing and strongly defends his choice to use this in The Lord of the Rings as...
30 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#483
Carpenter #170
Tolkien feels that his life may be in danger if The Return of the King is not published soon. This letter is held at the 'Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin...
12 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Unwin (Allen & Unwin Ltd.)
#518
Carpenter #172
Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin, stressing that they must publish The Return of the King on the 20th October 1955. The letter is held at the 'Tolkien–...
24 October 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#521
Carpenter #173
Tolkien delivered his O'Donnell lecture, English and Welsh, on the 21st October 1955 and mentions that The Return of the King was published on the 20th ...
10 November 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury
#522
Carpenter #174
Tolkien expresses gratitude for Lord Halsbury's approval and interest in his work. He discusses the surprising success of The Lord of the Rings and foll...
30 November 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Molly Waldron
#524
Carpenter #175
Tolkien writes about the radio adaption of The Lord of the Rings. He specifically criticizes the portrayal of events around Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. ...
?December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Straight
#530
Carpenter #181
Tolkien responds to a reviewer's questions about The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien discusses that the story is meant to be enjoyed as a fairy tale. He ment...
8 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#226
Carpenter #176
Tolkien mentions his O'Donnell Lectures in Celtic Studies. He expresses disappointment in the radio broadcast adaptations of The Lord of the Rings. Tolk...
8 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#526
Carpenter #177
Tolkien expresses his agreement with critics' negative views on the radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien anticipates negative responses to...
12 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#527
Carpenter #178
Tolkien writes about Victorian Warwickshire as an inspiration for the Shire. Additional quotes from this letter appear in Chronology. The original is he...
14 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#528
Carpenter #179
Tolkien is happy to accept criticism of The Lord of the Rings.
20 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien
#1451
Carpenter #179a
Tolkien writes to his eldest son, Father John Tolkien, saying that he will miss him at Christmas time but knows that he will see him soon. He says he is...
20 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan Anne Tolkien
#1452
Carpenter #179b
Tolkien writes to granddaughter Joan and says that he really enjoyed her birthday party, and that she is growing so fast. He has enclosed some money for...
1956
5 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1453
Carpenter #179c
Tolkien says he has had no time to revisit The Silmarillion, but hoping to in the near future. He makes a point to thank Rayner Unwin for all his help i...
14 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Thompson
#529
Carpenter #180
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a reader's encouraging letter. He writes that his work began during World War I and evolved into the invention of legend...
?Late January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Notes on W. H. Auden’s review of The Return of the King
#532
Carpenter #183
These are Tolkien's notes based on a review by W.H. Auden. He argues that his story is not an allegory of his personal experiences but a depiction of hu...
18 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sam Gamgee
#533
Carpenter #184
Tolkien writes to a Mr Sam Gamgee from Tooting. He mentions how he came up with the name Gamgee, and mentions "cotton-wool" and the Gamgee family from B...
19 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#534
Carpenter #185
Tolkien wrote to Christopher about #TCGLetter533.
April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joanna de Bortadano
#535
Carpenter #186
Tolkien dismisses the idea that his story is an allegory of atomic power. Tolkien mentions the significance of humility and equality as spiritual princi...
3 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin Ltd.
#536
Carpenter #188
Tolkien expresses his strong concern about the translation of The Lord of the Rings. As a professional linguist and the author of the work, he emphasize...
3 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#1454
Carpenter #188a
Tolkien tells Hugh that although he will be delighted to see him, there are few hobbits left in Old Marston and Old Headington.
11 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to M. Wilson
#537
Carpenter #189
Tolkien responded to Mrs. Wilson stating that The Lord of the Rings should really be read by adults, as it was not a work aimed at children.
16 April 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to H [Humphrey]. Cotton Minchin
#243
Carpenter #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.
#531
Carpenter #182
Tolkien hoped that he would be able to publish parts of The Silmarillion After the success of The Lord of the Rings he hoped it may be reconsidered.
3 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#538
Carpenter #190
Tolkien expresses strong objections to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings. He vehemently opposes any alteration or translation of the nomenc...
26 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss J. Burn
#553
Carpenter #191
Tolkien reflects on Frodo's role in the destruction of the Ring and discusses the theological implications of his actions. Tolkien rejects the notion of...
27 July 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#554
Carpenter #192
Tolkien responds to a letter discussing Frodo's perceived failure in the story. Tolkien defends Frodo's inability to surrender the Ring as an inevitable...
2 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller
#555
Carpenter #193
Tolkien discusses the concept of "accent" in the context of representing different languages, particularly the Common Speech (C.S.) in his legendarium. ...
6 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Terence Tiller
#556
Carpenter #194
Tolkien responds to Mr Tiller regarding a dramatic or semi-dramatic representation of The Lord of the Rings. He questions whether listeners unfamiliar w...
6 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1455
Carpenter #194a
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien muses on his faith and how it brings him solace in times of trouble, he details how it helps, how it sometimes is a burd...
24 November 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1456
Carpenter #194b
In regards to the Dutch translation of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien says he has not the time or energy to be overly critical of it, and in any case ha...
15 December 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#557
Carpenter #195
Tolkien discusses Frodo's attitude towards weapons and clarifies that Frodo was not a modern "pacifist."
1957
3 February 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1457
Carpenter #195a
Tolkien says that work is still getting in the way of him spending any time on The Silmarillion. He is having trouble with a professor in America as wel...
1 March 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1458
Carpenter #195b
Tolkien apologizes to Rayner for being exhausted at their previous meeting and says he is recovering from a very stressful school term. He says that he ...
21 March 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer
#558
Carpenter #196
Tolkien mentions Jack Lewis and acknowledges having limited knowledge of Lewis's troubles. In the 2023 revised edition of Letters, a brief introductory ...
24 April 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#287
Carpenter #196a
Tolkien discusses various matters including academic news, Hebrew, work with The Jerusalem Bible, the Book of Jonah. Excerpts from this letter were publ...
9 May 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#559
Carpenter #197
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a letter from GA&U and contemplates the idea of retiring in July and reflects on the financial and health implications. ...
19 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#560
Carpenter #198
Tolkien expresses a personal openness to the idea of an animated motion picture based on his work.
24 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Caroline Everett
#561
Carpenter #199
Tolkien was not inclined to offer any biographical details, as he doubted their relevance. Though he does go on to give some biographical facts. This le...
25 June 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Major Bowen
#562
Carpenter #200
Tolkien provides an explanation of Sauron's nature and his role in the world.
4 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1460
Carpenter #200a
Tolkien informs Rayner that he has had a meeting with Forrest J. Ackerman, acting for three persons, who were interested in filming The Lord of the Ring...
7 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#576
Carpenter #201
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current script for the proposed film version of The Lord of the Rings. Previously, Wayne G. Hammond and Chris...
11 September 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher and Faith Tolkien
#577
Carpenter #202
Tolkien describes his meeting with Sir Stanley Unwin and Mr Ackerman, they decided upon a policy to deal with film rights.
17 November 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Herbert Schiro
#327
Carpenter #203
In response to a letter from Herbert Schiro asking about allegory in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien quite angrily dismisses these readings. Much of this...
7 December 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#578
Carpenter #204
Tolkien discusses a letter from Halsbury expressing admiration for the Silmarillion material and anticipation for its publication. Tolkien mentions a le...
13 December 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1461
Carpenter #204a
Tolkien gives his thoughts to Rayner on the continuing work to try and turn the Lord of the Rings into a film. He gives his thoughts on the people wanti...
1958
21 February 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#579
Carpenter #205
Tolkien congratulates Christopher on a paper that he gave at St Anne's College.
18 March 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Voorhoeve en Dietrich
#389
Carpenter #205a
Tolkien thanks Ouboter for the invitation to the festival, and says he is mostly looking forward to it. He points out that his understanding of Dutch is...
2 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Voorhoeve en Dietrich
#388
Carpenter #205b
Tolkien writes a letter thanking Mr. Ouboter regarding his visit to Holland. He says that the sooner he can return there, the better.
8 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#580
Carpenter #206
Tolkien describes in great detail his trip to Rotterdam.
8 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#581
Carpenter #207
Tolkien expresses his intent to review the "Story-Line" provided by Zimmerman for the animated film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien indicat...
10 April 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to C. Ouboter
#582
Carpenter #208
Tolkien describes the 'message' in The Lord of the Rings.
4 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Murray, S.J.
#583
Carpenter #209
Tolkien discusses philology and the original meaning of words.
9 June 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman
#584
Carpenter #210
After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...
[late 1958-early 1959]
J.R.R. Tolkien to A.C. Nunn
#586
Carpenter #214
Tolkien describes Hobbit history and the process of giving and receiving gifts in the Shire.
14 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#400
Carpenter #211
Tolkien responds to questions, explaining the inspiration and meaning behind various elements in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien concludes by emphasizing...
14 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#585
Carpenter #212
Tolkien describes the creation of the World and then of the Dwarves by Aulë in draft that was never sent to Beare.
23 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Marjorie Incledon
#1464
Carpenter #212a
Tolkien discusses his decision on moving house after retirement, and his frustrations on the work being done to his current residence. He discusses how ...
25 October 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deborah Webster
#340
Carpenter #213
Tolkien expresses reluctance to divulge personal details but acknowledges some significant facts about himself. He shares personal preferences, includin...
1959
4 February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones
#1465
Carpenter #214a
Tolkien expresses his hope that he will upon retirement, be able to work on a new Bible translation but expresses concerns for Edith's health and says t...
4 March 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1466
Carpenter #214b
Writing to his son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the state of their house, and Edith's recovery from a broken arm. He also talks about his recent health s...
17 April 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Allen
#590
Carpenter #215
Tolkien declines to take part in a symposium on Children's writing in draft form, but ends up sending just a short note.
4 August 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1467
Carpenter #215a
Tolkien tells Rayner that he would like his translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to be published next and details his work on Ancrene Wisse. H...
12 August 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Deputy Registrar, University of Madras
#591
Carpenter #216
Tolkien declines an appointment as a member of a Board of Examiners.
11 September 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#592
Carpenter #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
#593
Carpenter #218
Tolkien replies about an English usage question referring to has or have.
15 October 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#596
Carpenter #219
Tolkien discusses his retirement.
16 October 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#594
Carpenter #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.
8 November 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison
#346
Carpenter #220a
Tolkien had hoped to see Mitchison but her letter "twice delayed" had not reached Tolkien until it was too late. He gives an update on life and remarks ...
24 November 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to D. M. Hawke, First Assistant Registrar, Oxford University
#597
Carpenter #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
#598
Carpenter #222
Tolkien writes to Rayner about his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Pearl.
1960
9 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1470
Carpenter #222a
Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the "Scunthorpe lists" he has also continued work on The Silmarillion, and can say that it is in an act...
12 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1471
Carpenter #222b
Tolkien tells Rayner that he is getting to his work on the translations of Sir Gawain and Pearl, in addition to The Silmarillion, however the arrival of...
29 February 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1472
Carpenter #222c
Tolkien asks Rayner's thoughts on publishing small or minor bits having to do with the Ring Cycle. He says that he is being asked for these, and that th...
1 March 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#1473
Carpenter #222d
Writing to Allen & Unwin, Tolkien says that he has been sent five more copies of Sagam om Ringen, he notes that Swedish is not especially popular in Eng...
4 April 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#1474
Carpenter #222e
Tolkien tells Jane Neave that he will send her "a long instalment" for reference.
5 May 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1475
Carpenter #222f
Writing to Rayner Unwin, Tolkien tells him that he has had very little time for literary work of late, but says that the latest royalty check from The H...
31 July 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#599
Carpenter #223
Tolkien's 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
#600
Carpenter #224
Tolkien comments on the C.S. Lewis book Studies in Words.
10 December 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#601
Carpenter #225
Puffin Books, via Margaret S. Clark, had requested the rights to publish a paperback edition of The Hobbit on 30 November. After hearing of this from Ra...
31 December 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to L.W. Forster
#602
Carpenter #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. Tolkien also writ...
1961
5 January 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. C. Ossendrijver
#465
Carpenter #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
#603
Carpenter #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 ...
13 February 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones
#1476
Carpenter #228a
Tolkien writes to Father Alex Jones apologizing for being late in his submission to the new Bible translation project, and says that he has been stuck i...
23 February 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#604
Carpenter #229
Tolkien’s commentary on Åke Ohlmarks’ introduction to the Swedish translation of The Lord of the Rings.
8 June 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rhona Beare
#605
Carpenter #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
#606
Carpenter #231
Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane about publishing Tom Bombadil.
Not dated (November 1961)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan Anne Tolkien
#1469
Carpenter #231a
Tolkien describes the changes to the town of Oxford since he has been living there. He says that many of the changes are not for the better, noise, cong...
4 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Reeves
#607
Carpenter #232
Tolkien talks about his pre-WWI trip to the Alps.
15 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#608
Carpenter #233
Allen & Unwin agree to publish The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
22 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#609
Carpenter #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
#610
Carpenter #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
#611
Carpenter #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
#612
Carpenter #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
#613
Carpenter #238
Writing to his aunt, Jane Neave, and in a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien says that fan mail keeps arriving, some of it is interesting an...
20 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez
#614
Carpenter #239
Writing to Alina Dadlez, Tolkien explains his displeasure at the Spanish translation of 'Hobbit' and remarks back to the "private fancies" of the transl...
21 July 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1477
Carpenter #239a
Tolkien informs Rayner Unwin that he is now "in residence" until 2 October and will return on 10 October as he is once again involved in term. He is sta...
1 August 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#615
Carpenter #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
#616
Carpenter #241
Tolkien writes about his lecture 'English and Welsh' and about 'Leaf by Niggle'.
2 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1478
Carpenter #241a
Tolkien says that as Rayner knows, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil began, with his Aunt Jane. he asks that a complimentary copy be sent to her and charge...
?19 November, 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1479
Carpenter #241b
In secret, Allen & Unwin had been putting a 'Festschrift' together to present to Tolkien on his 70th birthday. Tolkien writes to to congratulate Rayner ...
28 November 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin
#617
Carpenter #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...
16 December 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin and Katharine Farrer
#1480
Carpenter #242a
Tolkien gives thanks for a gift of a booklet on the Rosary and says that he has benefited from it tremendously. He gives his reasoning for coming to the...
19 December 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#618
Carpenter #243
Tolkien sends a Christmas message to Michael. He mentions sales figures for The Adventures of Tom Bombadil and was very pleased that a ‘Festschrift’...
1963
c. 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Unknown
#619
Carpenter #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
#620
Carpenter #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
#622
Carpenter #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
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar
#507
Carpenter #246
Tolkien answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. Marquette archives have a partial transcript along wit...
5 October 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Stanley Unwin
#623
Carpenter #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
#624
Carpenter #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...
20 October 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1481
Carpenter #249a
Tolkien writes to Christopher to congratulate him in a way on being named a Fellow at Exeter College.
1 November 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#625
Carpenter #250
Tolkien thanks Michael for his letter. He gives him some fatherly advice and talks about his Christian faith. He was interested in how Michael George wa...
?Late November -?early December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#627
Carpenter #252
Tolkien writes about the death of C.S. Lewis.
26 November 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Priscilla Tolkien
#626
Carpenter #251
Tolkien discusses the death of C.S. Lewis.
23 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#628
Carpenter #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
#629
Carpenter #254
Tyndall, an old boy of King Edward’s, Birmingham, had written to Tolkien recalling their schooldays together.
8 February 1964 (not sent)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1482
Carpenter #254a
Tolkien writes to Christopher. He reflects on the unwillingness of contemporary society to discuss complicated issues in the public square, and alludes ...
5 March 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar
#164
Carpenter #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
#630
Carpenter #256
An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. Hammond and Scull's Chronology mentions that this letter was started on May 13, but set...
16 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Bretherton
#631
Carpenter #257
Tolkien wrote that he usually typed letters because of his handwriting (which can be very difficult to read at times). He talks about the invention of h...
2 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#632
Carpenter #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 (Houghton Mifflin)
#633
Carpenter #259
Tolkien discusses Charles Williams and then explains why Tree and Leaf is called Tree and Leaf.
16 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carey Blyton
#634
Carpenter #260
Blyton had asked Tolkien’s permission to compose a Hobbit Overture.
30 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Anne Barrett (Houghton Mifflin)
#635
Carpenter #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
#636
Carpenter #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
#637
Carpenter #263
Tolkien is not happy with the design of HMCo's Tree and Leaf.
11 September 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#638
Carpenter #264
Tolkien really does not like the design of HMCo's Tree and Leaf. He comments negatively on Carole Ward's proposal for a serialization of The Lord of the...
11 November 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Kolb, S.J.
#639
Carpenter #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
#571
Carpenter #266
In this letter from Tolkien to his grandson, who was studying at St. Andrew's University, Tolkien apologizes that his translations of Sir Gawain and the...
9-10 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#640
Carpenter #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
#641
Carpenter #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
#642
Carpenter #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
#644
Carpenter #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
#645
Carpenter #271
Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolog...
20 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Zillah Sherring
#646
Carpenter #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
#647
Carpenter #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
#648
Carpenter #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...
31 July 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin Olney
#1483
Carpenter #274a
Tolkien writes to Austin Olney, at Houghton Mifflin, with corrections and additions to The Two Towers.
4 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#649
Carpenter #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...
24 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1484
Carpenter #275a
Tolkien apologizes once again for being late in getting work to Rayner, this time revisions on the 3rd edition of The Hobbit. He says that many revision...
12 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#650
Carpenter #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
#651
Carpenter #277
In August 1965 Ballantine Books produced the first ‘authorized’ American paperback of The Hobbit, without incorporating Tolkien’s revisions to the...
19 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#1485
Carpenter #277a
Tolkien, Edith and R.E. Havard, attend a performance of At the Drop of Another Hat on the 18th September 1965. Tolkien loved the show.
20 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#652
Carpenter #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
#653
Carpenter #279
Tolkien discusses money worries. Other parts of the letter are detailed in The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology.
8 November 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1010
Carpenter #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
#654
Carpenter #281
Tolkien writes about a new UK paperback edition of The Hobbit. He comments on replacing the note explaining Bilbo's changed story and the two Thrains wi...
18 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#655
Carpenter #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...
29 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1486
Carpenter #282a
Tolkien shoots down any idea of a "Tolkien Award" by Ace Books, and suspects that this is just a way for them to make themselves feel better about denyi...
1966
7 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Benjamin P. Indick
#656
Carpenter #283
An example of a stock reply to readers.
12 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#1027
Carpenter #283a
A brief one-page response to a birthday card that Plotz had sent to Tolkien. Tolkien corrects a Quenya phrase from that card.
20 January 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald A. Wollheim
#1488
Carpenter #283b
Tolkien thinks it doesn’t make sense for Ace Books to spend the revenue from The Lord of the Rings sales on an award named after Tolkien, rather than ...
23 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#657
Carpenter #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...
11 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#948
Carpenter #284a
Tolkien informs Scott that Ace Books have been in touch and offered an agreement. He notes that Ace have agreed to not reprint the book once current cop...
8 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#658
Carpenter #285
Tolkien writes about his reaction to Auden's comments on his house.
27 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to A. E. Couchman
#659
Carpenter #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
#660
Carpenter #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
#661
Carpenter #288
Tolkien writes about a bust being made of him. His daughter-in-Law is the sculpter and he has decided to have it cast in bronze at his own expense. It w...
29 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#662
Carpenter #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...
Not dated; August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1532
Carpenter #289a
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin about an interview with Philip Norman that appeared in The Sunday Times on 15 January 1967, The Hobbit Man. He wishes tha...
Late 1966 - early 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#784
Carpenter #293a
This letter, known as the Plotz Letter, or Plotz Declension was a letter written by Tolkien that contained manuscript notes regarding Quenya grammar. Th...
11 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#792
Carpenter #289b
Mr. and Mrs. Tolkien's Mediterranean cruise. Work on books and manuscripts. Excerpts from the letter have been published in SEVEN, Volume 27 (p. 49). An...
14 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#1014
Carpenter #289c
Donald Swann had written to Tolkien expressing interest in his poem 'Errantry'. Tolkien replied that was interested in his suggestion but wondered if it...
18 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones
#1491
Carpenter #289d
Writing to Father Jones, Tolkien thanks him for including his name in the list of contributors of the New Jerusalem Bible, even though Tolkien feels lik...
28 October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#663
Carpenter #290
Tolkien's grandson is studying at Oxford. Tolkien writes about his views on 'research' and reading Smith of Wootton Major the previous week instead of g...
7 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Gene Wolfe
#485
Carpenter #290a
Tolkien writes to Gene Wolf about the origin of "Orc" and "Warg".
22 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Hooper
#664
Carpenter #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
#665
Carpenter #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
#666
Carpenter #293
Tolkien was asked to be interviewed for The Scotsman.
1967
11 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to R. B. McCallum
#1494
Carpenter #293b
Tolkien writes to R.B. McCallum, Master of Pembroke College, who asks that Tolkien remember the college in his will. Tolkien says he doesn't remember ma...
8 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer
#667
Carpenter #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...
5 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1495
Carpenter #294a
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the current state of the Church and says that these need to be resolved in private, not with public comments....
20 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#974
Carpenter #294b
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann including more material for his project. He thanks Swann for not cursing him. He has had long delays and while trying to ...
29 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.H. Auden
#668
Carpenter #295
Tolkien writes to W.H. Auden and remarks that he was delighted to receive his letter, noting that it "did much to restore my spirits". He was pleased th...
12 April 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#977
Carpenter #295a
Writing to Donald Swann on the matter of their book, The Road Goes Ever On, Tolkien provides much on the contents of the book, noting that the commentar...
12-13 July 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#979
Carpenter #295b
Tolkien does not like the calligraphy being made by Samuel Hanks Bryant as filler for blank pages in The Road Goes Ever On. Tolkien objects to Swann usi...
21 July 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#669
Carpenter #296
Tolkien thanks Rayner for his friendship.
August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Rang
#670
Carpenter #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
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Luther White
#671
Carpenter #298
White had written to Tolkien asking for information regarding the Inklings. Tolkien replies with some brief information "from memory". He says that the ...
ca. 3 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#903
Carpenter #298a
In the Revised edition of Letters, there is brief extract where Tolkien talks about his serious health issues and complains about Joy Hill saying it was...
12 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green
#672
Carpenter #299
Tolkien thanks Green for his review of Smith of Wootton Major.
1968
20 February 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Hooper
#673
Carpenter #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
#674
Carpenter #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
#675
Carpenter #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
#676
Carpenter #303
Tolkien writes about Sarehole Mill.
4 June 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#677
Carpenter #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
#678
Carpenter #305
On 17 June, while preparing to move house, Tolkien fell downstairs and injured his leg. This letter was written from hospital in Oxford.
30 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan Klass
#1500
Carpenter #305a
Tolkien says that between his recent injury and recover, Edith's health problems, and recently moving house, all his papers and other belongs are unorga...
11 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#679
Carpenter #306
Tolkien writes to Michael about his trip to Switzerland and writes about his own trip in 1911. He also talks about 'trends' in the Catholic Church and h...
14 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#680
Carpenter #307
Amy sent Tolkien some Port and Sherry.
29 December 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1501
Carpenter #307a
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...
1969
2 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#681
Carpenter #308
Tolkien wishes Christopher a happy 1969.
2 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#682
Carpenter #309
Tolkien replies to a letter from Amy Ronald. He explains his names and the different ways that family and friends address him.
11 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Neal
#1502
Carpenter #309a
Writing to a fan, who published a review of The Hobbit, Tolkien responds by saying that he enjoyed the review, and is sending him a little book but not ...
20 May 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Camilla Unwin
#683
Carpenter #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
#684
Carpenter #311
Tolkien and Edith are not well and feeling cut-off.
16 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#685
Carpenter #312
Tolkien discusses his love of botany.
25 November 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#686
Carpenter #313
Tolkien wishes he had an 'elven' grammar and vocabulary.
15 December 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#687
Carpenter #314
Tolkien writes about teaching.
1970
1 January 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#387
Carpenter #315
Tolkien discusses his problems with progressing with the Silmarillion. An additional portion of the letter has been quoted on Michael Tolkien's website.
6 June 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1504
Carpenter #315a
Tolkien visited Nottingham with Rayner Unwin on 2nd May 1970. Tolkien received an Honorary D. Litt. Tolkien writes about a student demonstration that to...
26 August 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert F. Cook
#1505
Carpenter #315b
Tolkien sends a copy of an article that he had written, and he also mentions an anecdote of a story, the name of which he cannot remember.
11 September 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#279
Carpenter #316
Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
1 November 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#412
Carpenter #317
Tolkien writes to Amy about his house and plans for Christmas.
22 November 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Neil Ker
#413
Carpenter #318
Tolkien reminisces about A.S. Napier.
1971
8 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green
#414
Carpenter #319
Tolkien writes to Roger about his thoughts on the origin of the word Hobbit.
18 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green
#1506
Carpenter #319a
Tolkien had written to Roger Lancelyn Green to try and find out about a story he remembers reading in Childhood. The story was "Puss-cat Mew" by E. H. K...
25 January 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Ruth Austin
#415
Carpenter #320
Tolkien discusses Galadriel. He notes that he owes much of her character to Catholocism and Christian teachings.
4 February 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to P. Rorke, S.J.
#416
Carpenter #321
Tolkien describes the Caverns of Helm's Deep as being influenced by Cheddar Gorge.
18 March 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater
#417
Carpenter #322
Tolkien writes about progress on the Silmarillion.
about 2 June 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#418
Carpenter #323
Tolkien describes his visit to Sidmouth.
4-5 June 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar
#419
Carpenter #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 ...
10 June 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Phyllis Robertson
#290
Carpenter #324a
Tolkien sends signed copies of his book The Adventures of Tom Bombadil to Mrs Robertson and discusses the biblical parallels to the current weather.
17 July 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Lancelyn Green
#420
Carpenter #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
#421
Carpenter #326
Tolkien writes to Rayner about his becoming Chairman of GA&U. A brief quote about Edith's health is reproduced in Chronology.
25 August 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dr. Robert Boyer
#298
Carpenter #327
Tolkien replies to Dr. Boyer about W.H. Auden whom he regarded as a "great friend" and supporter. In a handwritten postscript (or separate undated lette...
Autumn 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Batten-Phelps
#422
Carpenter #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
#423
Carpenter #329
Tolkien shares his views on author's biographies.
1 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater
#424
Carpenter #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...
8 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1508
Carpenter #330a
Tolkien writes to Michael about how little time he has to work on The Silmarillion and about any prospects of feature films, he believes that no films w...
29 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater
#425
Carpenter #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 ...
December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patient in Broadmoor Hospital
#1509
Carpenter #331a
Tolkien discusses Hobbits and mentions that he will be in an upcoming edition of The Sunday Times. Broadmoor Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hos...
19 December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1510
Carpenter #331b
Tolkien has been ill and worried about where he is going to live, he is staying with family members while he decides on a permanent location to live.
1972
24 January 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#426
Carpenter #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 Rayner Unwin
#427
Carpenter #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
#428
Carpenter #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...
Not dated (?May 1972)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury
#1511
Carpenter #334a
Tolkien had moved to 21 Merton Street in Oxford. Lord Halsbury had offered to help him with book moving. Tolkien thanks him but declines his offer and t...
18 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Salmon
#429
Carpenter #335
Tolkien explains that he does not have time to comment on his works.
23 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sir Patrick Browne
#430
Carpenter #336
Tolkien writes about being a cult figure.
25 May 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Wrigley
#431
Carpenter #337
Tolkien discusses the sources of The Lord of the Rings.
?6 June 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Fr. Douglas Carter
#432
Carpenter #338
Tolkien discusses the question, did the Ents ever find the Entwives?
6 June 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Bullock
#1512
Carpenter #338a
On the 3rd June 1972, Tolkien is awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Vice Chancellor of Oxford University (Lord Bullock; then Sir Alan Bullock)....
30 June 1972 (published 4 July)
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Daily Telegraph
#49
Carpenter #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 ...
9 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1513
Carpenter #339a
Tolkien discusses the various meals that he has been treated to.
11 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#433
Carpenter #340
Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&U's headquarters.
17 September 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Marjorie Incledon
#434
Carpenter #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
#435
Carpenter #342
Tolkien is asked about Elvish names for bulls and herds of cattle.
21 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#436
Carpenter #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 Donald Glover
#1514
Carpenter #343a
Tolkien declines to discuss C.S. Lewis and states that he is still trying to work on The Silmarillion.
23 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edmund Meskys
#437
Carpenter #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
#438
Carpenter #345
A continuation of #Letter342, where Tolkien continues to discuss naming animals.
13 December 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lyle Leach
#439
Carpenter #346
Tolkien expounds upon Gandalf's statement "He that breaks a thing to find out what it is have left the path of wisdom" when responding to someones "dest...
17 December 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard Jeffery
#384
Carpenter #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
Not dated (January 1973)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss T.R.C.
#1503
Carpenter #347a
Tolkien details his thoughts on a recent article about him in a paper, and what he thought should have been written about. He then tells the respondent ...
24 January 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#835
Carpenter #347b
Tolkien writes, thanking Lanier for the book The War for the Lot by Lanier himself. Tolkien says that he found it quite original, and frightening. Tolki...
6 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Catharine Findlay
#385
Carpenter #348
Tolkien responds an enquiry about Galadriel.
8 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#839
Carpenter #348a
Tolkien writes to Clyse S. Kilby regarding his health issues. Kilby remarks in his article 'Woodland Prisoner' from SEVEN Vol. 27 that this was the last...
8 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs E. R. Ehrardt
#386
Carpenter #349
Tolkien discusses the origins of the name Tolkien.
24 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1517
Carpenter #349a
Tolkien writes about the process of writing letters, a very relevant topic to be included.
24 May 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.L. Wiseman
#383
Carpenter #350
Tolkien writes to Christopher Wiseman and thinks of his friends in the T.C.B.S.
29 May 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#382
Carpenter #351
Tolkien writes to Christopher about his trip to the Tolhursts and news of Priscilla's holiday in Crete.
5 June 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ungfrú Aðalsteinsdottir
#381
Carpenter #352
Tolkien is pleased that The Hobbit is being translated into Icelandic.
4 August 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Halsbury
#380
Carpenter #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
#316
Carpenter #354
This letter to Priscilla was written four days before Tolkien's death. Tolkien had a difficult day, losing his bank card and money, and having trouble m...
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