1934

21 January 1934

J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien  Letters #8a

Writing to his son John, Tolkien asks about the credits he will take and also that he noted that his German books remained is his trunk after his holida...

1936

10 August 1936

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

12 February 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #11a

Tolkien replies to Michaels letter. It appears that Michael has opted to change his work, but Tolkien would like to talk with Welch & Bostock first befo...

?10 March 1937

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

c. 16 April 1937

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

17 September 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin  Letters #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  Letters #15b

Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesnt expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla h...

22 November 1937

J.R.R. Tolkien to E.V. Gordon  Letters #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 ...

1939

1 March 1939

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

1940

12 July 1940

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

20 October 1940

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

26 January 1941

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

12 March 1941

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

1943

28 July 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #49a

Tolkien was glad to get Christophers letter, he had been waiting to write, needing his new address. He mentions the weather, and fruits which are growin...

1 September 1943

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

3 November 1943

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

15 December 1943

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

25 January 1944

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

27 March 1944

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

8 April 1944

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

27 June 1944

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

7 July 1944

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

19 September 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby  Letters #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, which he hopes G...

20 September 1944

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

1 November 1944

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

13 November 1944

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

29 November 1944

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

1945

7 January 1945

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

17 February 1945

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

Tolkien discusses Chaucer, saying he had “little learning”, some Latin skill but lacked the talent for prose. Also on this day Tolkiens letter to th...

12 March 1945

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

29 April 1945

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

9 October 1945

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

1947

5 May 1947

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

30 September 1947

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

Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin with regard to his visit of Merton Colleges estates in Cambridge, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire between 22 and 25 Sep...

1949

20 December 1949

J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes  Letters #122a

Tolkien writes to Baynes making mention that Lewis had been in touch and wishes her a Happy Christmas. She (Baynes) is illustrating Lewiss Lion, Witch b...

1950

4 September 1950

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

9 October 1950

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #130a

Tolkien in a letter to Hugh Brogan gives him some updates on his health. He also says that “Drama” is a “bore”.

1952

23 March 1952

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

21 October 1952

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

12 November 1952

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

Tolkien replies to Rayners letter and mentions his pleasure at the news of Allen & Unwins decision to publish The Lord of the Rings.

1953

Not dated (1953)

J.R.R. Tolkien to Basil Blackwell  Letters #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  Letters #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  Letters #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...

21 April 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Norman and Lena Davis  Letters #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  Letters #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  Letters #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  Letters #137d

Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby of the BBC. Newby had been negotiating to broadcast some of Tolkiens translation of Sir Gawain but pressures meant that he ...

8 July 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #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...

31 August 1953

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

15 October 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #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  Letters #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  Letters #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  Letters #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...

10 December 1953

J.R.R. Tolkien to Katharine Farrer  Letters #142a

Tolkien thanks Katharine Farrer Tolkien has a galley of Volume One of The Lord of the Rings which he has read only once, intended for Farrer to read, an...

1954

16 March 1954

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

23 March 1954

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

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #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  Letters #143d

Tolkien has drawn a sketch for Volume III, but says he wont show it to Rayner as it is not constructive to point out the artificial divisions in the vol...

15 April 1954

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

3 May 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby  Letters #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...

10 June 1954

J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin  Letters #146a

Tolkien addresses queries about The Two Towers by Allen and Unwins head reader. Tolkien found the close reading exraordiary. A large publisher will have...

18 August 1954

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

20 December 1954

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

1955

26 May 1955

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

5 July 1955

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

15 July 1955

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

27 July 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin  Letters #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  Letters #166b

Tolkien says that he cannot answer Mr. Beards questions until he is back home and has a proof copy of the final text of Return of the King to look at.

8 September 1955

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

20 December 1955

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

3 April 1956

J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan  Letters #188a

Tolkien tells Hugh that although he will be delighted to see him, there are few hobbits left in Old Marston and Old Headington.

6 November 1956

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

1957

3 February 1957

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

24 April 1957

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien  Letters #196a

Tolkien discusses various matters including academic news, Hebrew, work with The Jerusalem Bible, the Book of Jonah. Excerpts from this letter were publ...

4 September 1957

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

13 December 1957

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

18 March 1958

J.R.R. Tolkien to Messrs. Voorhoeve en Dietrich  Letters #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  Letters #205b

Tolkien writes a letter thanking Mr. Ouboter regarding his visit to Holland. He says that the sooner he can return there, the better.

23 October 1958

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

1959

4 February 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones  Letters #214a

Tolkien expresses his hope that he will upon retirement, be able to work on a new Bible translation but expresses concerns for Ediths health and says th...

4 March 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #214b

Writing to his son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the state of their house, and Ediths recovery from a broken arm. He also talks about his recent health st...

4 August 1959

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

8 November 1959

J.R.R. Tolkien to Naomi Mitchison  Letters #220a

Writing to Naomi Mitchison, Tolkien apologizes that he has not been able to see her. He and Edith had gone away to Beournemouth and her letters, twice d...

1960

9 February 1960

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

Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the Scunthorpe lists This letter is held at the Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins.

12 February 1960

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

Tolkien asks Rayners 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 the...

1 March 1960

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

1961

13 February 1961

J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones  Letters #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...

Not dated (November 1961)

J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan Anne Tolkien  Letters #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...

1962

21 July 1962

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

2 November 1962

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

16 December 1962

J.R.R. Tolkien to Austin and Katharine Farrer  Letters #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...

1963

20 October 1963

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #249a

Tolkien writes to Christopher to congratulate him in a way on being named a Fellow at Exeter College.

1964

8 February 1964 (not sent)

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #254a

Tolkien writes to Christopher. He reflects on the unwillingness of contemporary society to discuss complicated issues in the public square, and alludes ...

1965

31 July 1965

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

Tolkien writes to Austin Olney, at Houghton Mifflin, with corrections and additions to The Two Towers.

24 August 1965

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

19 September 1965

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

29 December 1965

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

1966

12 January 1966

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz  Letters #283a

A brief one-page response to a birthday card that Plotz had sent to Tolkien. Tolkien corrects a Quenya phrase from that card. Also included with this le...

20 January 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald A. Wollheim  Letters #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 ...

11 March 1966

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

Not dated; August 1966

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

11 October 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby  Letters #289b

Mr. and Mrs. Tolkiens Mediterranean cruise. Work on books and manuscripts. Excerpts from the letter have been published in SEVEN, Volume 27 (p. 49). Ano...

14 October 1966

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

18 October 1966

J.R.R. Tolkien to [Father] Alex Jones  Letters #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...

7 November 1966

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Gene Wolfe  Letters #290a

Tolkien writes to Gene Wolf about the origin of Orc and Warg

1967

Late 1966 - early 1967

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz  Letters #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 January 1967

J.R.R. Tolkien to R. B. McCallum  Letters #293b

Tolkien writes to R.B. McCallum, Master of Pembroke College, who asks that Tolkien remember the college in his will. Tolkien says he doesnt remember mak...

5 March 1967

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

12 April 1967

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

1968

30 August 1968

J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan Klass  Letters #305a

Tolkien says that between his recent injury and recover, Ediths health problems, and recently moving house, all his papers and other belongs are unorgan...

29 December 1968

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

11 January 1969

J.R.R. Tolkien to Philip Neal  Letters #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 ...

1970

6 June 1970

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

1971

18 January 1971

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

10 June 1971

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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Phyllis Robertson  Letters #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.

8 November 1971

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

December 1971

J.R.R. Tolkien to Patient in Broadmoor Hospital  Letters #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  Letters #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

Not dated (?May 1972)

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

6 June 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Lord Bullock  Letters #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)....

9 July 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien  Letters #339a

Tolkien discusses the various meals that he has been treated to.

23 November 1972

J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Glover  Letters #343a

Tolkien declines to discuss C.S. Lewis and states that he is still trying to work on The Silmarillion.

1973

Not dated (January 1973)

J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss T.R.C.  Letters #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

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

8 March 1973

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

24 March 1973

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien  Letters #349a

Tolkien writes about the process of writing letters, a very relevant topic to be included.