Letters 
Letter Tags
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This letter to Arthur Tolkien, father of Ronald and Hilary, was dictated by Tolkien's nurse.
Tolkien writes a puzzling letter, for Father Francis Morgan, written in rebus code.
Writing to his friend, after reading parts of Wiseman's letter to G.B. Smith, Tolkien agrees that the group (T.C.B.S.) has drifted apart but that i...
Tolkien writes to the Adjutant of the 13th Battalion requesting leave for 13 to 17 May after he has completed his signalling course. His address if his ...
Smith writes to thank Tolkien for hosting him, describing it as a "splendid two days". He is very encouraged to have seen that Tolkien has not...
Tolkien is informed by telegram that he is to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. He must first report to the Embarkation Staff Officer at F...
G.B. Smith writes, wishing Tolkien well "in all that may happen to you within the next few months, and may we live beyond them to a better time&quo...
Smith thanks Tolkien for his letter, he thinks that "there are still a great many sober men and true..." This letter is among the 'Tolkie...
Smith writes to Tolkien having not received Tolkien's letter of 12-13 August . he has been unable to sleep for thinking about Rob. He remarks that ...
Smith writes to Tolkien, he encloses a letter from Christopher Wiseman. Wiseman had sent to Smith, the letters written by him and Tolkien during the win...
Smith replies to Tolkien's earlier letter. He is relieved to hear that Tolkien is "still alive". Tolkien is at this time recovering at 3 ...
Wiseman writes to Tolkien on politics, and the war. Thanking Tolkien for his letter and more of his poems. He says that R.W. Reynolds thinks that Tolkie...
Wiseman writes to Tolkien in reply to an earlier letter from Tolkien, in which Tolkien had replied about the "epic" Wiseman suggests he start ...
Writing to Tolkien, Wiseman returns the manuscripts of G.B. Smith's verse noting that he does not think the book should be "Opera Omnia",...
Details of this letter are not known, but Tolkien used the rear of a letter from the Clerk of the Senate at University of Leeds to write notes on '...
Details of the sender, date and contents of this letter are currently unknown but Bodleian Library remark that MS Tolkien A 19/3 "fol. 149 is writt...
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 ...
R.E.M. Wheeler, from London Museum, writes to Tolkien on the news that the Society of Antiquaries will publish a report on the excavations at Lydney Par...
Wheeler replies to Tolkien's letter with thanks for his note. He suggests that Tolkien retain his note on 'Nodens' for the time being whi...
Allen Mawer, of the English Place-name Society, replies to Tolkien's letter on Lydney. He says that he himself has looked into the name but has not...
Allen Mawer, of the English Place-name Society, replies again to Tolkien on the matter of 'Lydney' including early occurrences of the name.
Wheeler writes asking Tolkien to return the 'Nodens' proof as the publisher is asking for it. But later on the same day, the note arrives as T...
Wheeler writes a second letter to Tolkien thanking him for sending the proof note on 'Nodens'. In July 1932 Tolkien's note 'The Name...
A Philologist on Esperanto is the title given to a letter (written in the early part of 1932) from J.R.R. Tolkien to the secretary of the Education Comm...
Sisam replies to Tolkien's letter on the subject of the Old English Exodus and its possible influence from Gallican Psalters. The description in th...
Kenneth Sisam writing to Tolkien on the subject of a collation of relevant Latin texts in the psalters. Tolkien in reply, #TCGLetter1768, will mention h...
Writing to Tolkien, Simonne d'Ardenne asking how his recovery is coming along after his injury. She will update him on her viva once she knows a da...
This entry covers various letters between Tolkien, the Registry University of Oxford and King Edward VI School, Birmingham, relating to Tolkien's t...
R.W. Chambers writes to Tolkien. He tells him that he must not "delete a single word from" his Beowulf lecture.
Allen Mawer writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congrat...
David Nichol Smith writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his ...
F. E. Harmer writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congra...
F. Molina writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congratul...
Russell Meiggs (editor of the Oxford Magazine) writes to Tolkien with thanks for a copy of The Hobbit. The letter was described by Meiggs himself as an ...
Oliver Elton writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congra...
George S. Gordon writes to Tolkien with praise for his published lecture on Beowulf and refers to his own review of The Hobbit.
Chambers writes to Tolkien thanking him for a copy of The Hobbit. It is this letter which is forwarded by Tolkien with a letter to GA&U. He updates Tolk...
Chambers writes again offering thanks for a copy of The Hobbit, and presumably, criticism on it. He gives Tolkien an update on his recovery after a bout...
Kilbride writes to Tolkien from Bradford offering praise for The Hobbit. This letter is held among the Tolkien Papers at the Bodleian Library.
E. V. Gordon replies to Tolkien to thank him for a copy of The Hobbit and offers comments on the story. The letter is held at the Bodleian Library archive.
Helen Buckhurst writes to Tolkien to thank him for arranging for a copy of The Hobbit to be sent to her. She says the book is delightful, though she wis...
Jennie Grove writes to Tolkien thanking him for the copy of The Hobbit she has recieved. She is "delighted" by it and hopes that it is a huge ...
Hilary writes to Tolkien thanking him for sending a copy of The Hobbit. He will read it soon and then will read it with Gabriel, his eldest son. He also...
Tolkien had arranged that a copy of The Hobbit be sent to Childe, and Childe writes to congratulate Tolkien on its publication and offers thanks for his...
Tolkien's Aunt Jane (Neave) writes to Tolkien demanding to know more about his new book, The Hobbit. Tolkien had written to her, and signed a copy ...
Mary writes to Tolkien asking if he would send her a presentation copy of The Hobbit. In return she will send him prayers. This letter is found among th...
Aunt Jane writes again to Tolkien now that she has recieved a copy of The Hobbit. She is delighted with it and says that "the origin of golf" ...
Following his previous letter offering Tolkien thanks and congratulations on The Hobbit, Childe sends a postcard with congratulations on the positive re...
F.E. Harmer, a colleague from Manchester writes to Tolkien to ask advice on the meaning of various Old English words and if Tolkien could present any ci...
Tolkien's aunt, Grace, writes to him offering thoughts on The Hobbit.
Selby writes to Tolkien on various matters related to The Hobbit. He asks about discrepancies between the text of The Hobbit and 'Thror's Map&...
Arthur Ransome, best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of childrens books wrote to Tolkien in 1937 after The Hobbit had been published, firstly ...
Further to his earlier letters to Tolkien, Chambers had recently finished writing a review (see reference below) of Tolkien's Beowulf: The Monsters...
Following a letter the previous day from Stanley Unwin, Le Fall of Geoffrey Tyndale's Bookshop in Bath writes to Tolkien with details on the compet...
Frederick Klaeber sends Tolkien a Christmas card.
K.M. Kilbride writes to Tolkien asking if he would sign a second printing of The Hobbit for her if she sent one to him. She had lent the book to a child...
Tolkien's Aunt Lily congratulates him on the publication of a second printing of The Hobbit. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library among thei...
G.B. Smith's mother, Ruth Smith, writes to Tolkien with thanks for the copy of The Hobbit he sent her. She also touches on Christopher Wiseman.
W.G. Le Tall again writes to Tolkien about the competition his bookshop is running on The Hobbit. The letter is held with the Tolkien Papers at the Bodl...
A reader had written to the Observer newspaper asking various questions on The Hobbit and Beowulf. White sends a clipping of that letter to Tolkien and ...
Le Tall sends his personal copy of The Hobbit for Tolkien to sign for him. He updates Tolkien on the competition, noting that it has not gone as well as...
Tolkien's Aunt Florence (Hadley) writes to thank him the copy of The Hobbit which he sent to her in British Columbia, Canada. She notes that had he...
Tolkien responds to a request, likely from a researcher or enthusiast, regarding the origins and inspirations behind his work, particularly The Hobbit. ...
B.S. Harvey of the National Provincial Bank writes to Tolkien acknowledging payment of some cheques and as a post script asks Tolkien if he would mind s...
Kenneth Sisam writes to Tolkien on E.O.G. Turville-Petre's Viga-Glúms Saga. He notes that it will be published in their Oxford English Monographs ...
M. Williams, a former student at Oxford, now of the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, New York, writes to Tolkien offering memories of her tim...
Francis P. Magoun of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA writes to Tolkien in praise of The Hobbit. He notes his growing interest in Gothic. Magoun had visite...
Tolkien responds to Mr. Masefield regarding the lines provided for a performance. Tolkien expresses no objection to being preceded by the lines and defe...
Catherine Lambert, a writer from London writes to Tolkien on The Hobbit and mentions her own publications. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library a...
Tolkien in a letter to The Society (addressed to Chapman) says he is not able to host The Society meeting and dinner as Exeter and Pembroke are not avai...
Stephen Bone, the writer and painter, writes to Tolkien. He remarks on his children's enjoyment of The Hobbit and asks Tolkien if he would send him...
Peter Eubanks, of Berkeley, California and a fan of The Hobbit, writes to Tolkien to ask him to write a sequel to it.
Writing to Gilbert Murray, Tolkien with regret notes that he is powerless to help with the task of securing employment of one J.C. Ghosh, an Indian stud...
Following on from his letter in 1945, Bone returns a specimen page from The Lord of the Rings and discusses it. We currently have no record of Tolkien&a...
Farrer replies to Tolkien, again in runes and says that she would welcome a key to the Dwarvish alphabet. This was written on a postcard that accompanie...
Mother M. Agnes, a former pupil from Leeds and now at Maryfield College, Dublin, writes to Tolkien asking if he recalls her from that time at Leeds. She...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
Mary Thompson, a teacher from Leamington High School for Girls, writes to Tolkien offering praise for The Hobbit and asking about a sequel. She includes...
Hugh Brogan's mother, Olwen, writes to Tolkien on the matter of him visiting them in Cambridge. She says he is very welcome and suggests the 20th (...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
Henry Willink, a colleague from Magdalene College, Cambridge, writes to Tolkien giving him an update on his wife's ill-health and to offer his admi...
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
Helen Gardner, an Oxford colleague of Tolkien's writes to him. She encloses a message of appreciation from Richard Duncan-Jones, whose sister'...
Tilda and Joy Duff write to Tolkien with praise for The Hobbit.
Tolkien submits his conference paper, Middle English 'Losenger', to the organizers of the Congrès International de Philologie Moderne in Liège.
This letter, of which excerpts were published in The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren concerned the etymology of the word 'faynights'. Afte...
Tolkien advises his student Burchfield about his thesis about Ormulum - the proposed thesis title is remarkably close to a recent German publication tha...
Briggs very much enjoyed reading The Fellowship of the Ring and asks if the next book will be published by Christmas. She had issues with the changes to...
Briggs thanks Tolkien for his reply (#TCGLetter1712) to her first letter (#TCGLetter1715). She looks forward to The Two Towers and The Return of the Kin...
Tolkien remarks on the reception to The Fellowship of the Ring by his colleagues.
Replying to Rosemary Summers, believed to be a teacher, Tolkien says that some critics argued the Hobbit was too frightening for children. Her school ch...
Tolkien writes to Peter Scott, of the London Newman Circle. He declines the invitation to give a public lecture, as he is too busy to talk about himself...
C.S. Lewis writes to the Swedish Academy. He believes that J.R.R. Tolkien deserves the Nobel Prize in literature and nominates him for the award. A phot...
Bruce Mitchell writes to Tolkien on the matter of his article on Beowulf.
Tolkien begins a letter to a Mr. Beaumont about a house-move.
Tolkien writes to discuss various matters on Beowulf.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Bodleian and a copy at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known.
Jocelyn Gibb requested any letters from C. S. Lewis that could be included in a forthcoming volume. Tolkien exchanged few letters with C. S. Lewis, as t...
Tolkien sends his thanks to Gibb for sending a copy of the book Light on C.S. Lewis and notes that it says more about the contributors than of Lewis him...
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Tolkien Papers, Bodleian Library
(107 letters match)1896
14 February 1896
J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Tolkien
#41
This letter to Arthur Tolkien, father of Ronald and Hilary, was dictated by Tolkien's nurse.
1904
8 August 1904
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Francis Morgan
#42
Tolkien writes a puzzling letter, for Father Francis Morgan, written in rebus code.
1914
16 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman
#1110
Writing to his friend, after reading parts of Wiseman's letter to G.B. Smith, Tolkien agrees that the group (T.C.B.S.) has drifted apart but that i...
1916
8 May 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Adjutant, 13th Battalion
#1328
Tolkien writes to the Adjutant of the 13th Battalion requesting leave for 13 to 17 May after he has completed his signalling course. His address if his ...
?End of May 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1538
Smith writes to thank Tolkien for hosting him, describing it as a "splendid two days". He is very encouraged to have seen that Tolkien has not...
2 June 1916
Army Headquarters, Cannock Chase to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1539
Tolkien is informed by telegram that he is to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. He must first report to the Embarkation Staff Officer at F...
25 June 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1543
G.B. Smith writes, wishing Tolkien well "in all that may happen to you within the next few months, and may we live beyond them to a better time&quo...
11 August 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1548
Smith thanks Tolkien for his letter, he thinks that "there are still a great many sober men and true..." This letter is among the 'Tolkie...
15 August 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1551
Smith writes to Tolkien having not received Tolkien's letter of 12-13 August . he has been unable to sleep for thinking about Rob. He remarks that ...
16 September 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1554
Smith writes to Tolkien, he encloses a letter from Christopher Wiseman. Wiseman had sent to Smith, the letters written by him and Tolkien during the win...
16 November 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1565
Smith replies to Tolkien's earlier letter. He is relieved to hear that Tolkien is "still alive". Tolkien is at this time recovering at 3 ...
8 December 1916
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1569
Wiseman writes to Tolkien on politics, and the war. Thanking Tolkien for his letter and more of his poems. He says that R.W. Reynolds thinks that Tolkie...
1917
4 March 1917
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1583
Wiseman writes to Tolkien in reply to an earlier letter from Tolkien, in which Tolkien had replied about the "epic" Wiseman suggests he start ...
19 May 1917
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1588
Writing to Tolkien, Wiseman returns the manuscripts of G.B. Smith's verse noting that he does not think the book should be "Opera Omnia",...
1922
17 October 1922
Clerk to the Senate, University of Leeds to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2461
Details of this letter are not known, but Tolkien used the rear of a letter from the Clerk of the Senate at University of Leeds to write notes on '...
c. October 1922
Unknown (possibly a student) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2460
Details of the sender, date and contents of this letter are currently unknown but Bodleian Library remark that MS Tolkien A 19/3 "fol. 149 is writt...
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 ...
1931
2 December 1931
R.E.M. Wheeler to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1743
R.E.M. Wheeler, from London Museum, writes to Tolkien on the news that the Society of Antiquaries will publish a report on the excavations at Lydney Par...
9 December 1931
R.E.M. Wheeler to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1747
Wheeler replies to Tolkien's letter with thanks for his note. He suggests that Tolkien retain his note on 'Nodens' for the time being whi...
12 December 1931
Allen Mawer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1748
Allen Mawer, of the English Place-name Society, replies to Tolkien's letter on Lydney. He says that he himself has looked into the name but has not...
22 December 1931
Allen Mawer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2458
Allen Mawer, of the English Place-name Society, replies again to Tolkien on the matter of 'Lydney' including early occurrences of the name.
1932
2 January 1932
R.E.M. Wheeler to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1750
Wheeler writes asking Tolkien to return the 'Nodens' proof as the publisher is asking for it. But later on the same day, the note arrives as T...
2 January 1932
R.E.M. Wheeler to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1751
Wheeler writes a second letter to Tolkien thanking him for sending the proof note on 'Nodens'. In July 1932 Tolkien's note 'The Name...
May 1932* (see note)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Secretary of the Education Committee of the British Esperanto Association
#73
A Philologist on Esperanto is the title given to a letter (written in the early part of 1932) from J.R.R. Tolkien to the secretary of the Education Comm...
30 August 1932
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1753
Sisam replies to Tolkien's letter on the subject of the Old English Exodus and its possible influence from Gallican Psalters. The description in th...
12 December 1932
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2417
Kenneth Sisam writing to Tolkien on the subject of a collation of relevant Latin texts in the psalters. Tolkien in reply, #TCGLetter1768, will mention h...
1936
9 March 1936
Simonne d'Ardenne to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1817
Writing to Tolkien, Simonne d'Ardenne asking how his recovery is coming along after his injury. She will update him on her viva once she knows a da...
1937
1937-1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to Registry University of Oxford, King Edward VI School, Birmingham
#1168
This entry covers various letters between Tolkien, the Registry University of Oxford and King Edward VI School, Birmingham, relating to Tolkien's t...
2 February 1937
R. W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1159
R.W. Chambers writes to Tolkien. He tells him that he must not "delete a single word from" his Beowulf lecture.
1 July 1937
Allen Mawer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1933
Allen Mawer writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congrat...
4 July 1937
David Nichol Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1934
David Nichol Smith writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his ...
5 July 1937
F.E. Harmer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1935
F. E. Harmer writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congra...
29 July 1937
F. Molina to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1937
F. Molina writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congratul...
August 1937
Russell Meiggs (for Oxford Magazine) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2016
Russell Meiggs (editor of the Oxford Magazine) writes to Tolkien with thanks for a copy of The Hobbit. The letter was described by Meiggs himself as an ...
3 August 1937
Oliver Elton to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1938
Oliver Elton writes to Tolkien on the publication of his Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics to offer his congra...
8 August 1937
George S. Gordon to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2770
George S. Gordon writes to Tolkien with praise for his published lecture on Beowulf and refers to his own review of The Hobbit.
c. 15-31 August 1937 (undated)
R.W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1985
Chambers writes to Tolkien thanking him for a copy of The Hobbit. It is this letter which is forwarded by Tolkien with a letter to GA&U. He updates Tolk...
7 September 1937 (postmarked)
R.W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1986
Chambers writes again offering thanks for a copy of The Hobbit, and presumably, criticism on it. He gives Tolkien an update on his recovery after a bout...
22 September 1937
K. M. (Katherine Mary) Kilbride to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2019
Kilbride writes to Tolkien from Bradford offering praise for The Hobbit. This letter is held among the Tolkien Papers at the Bodleian Library.
23 September 1937
E. V. Gordon to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1977
E. V. Gordon replies to Tolkien to thank him for a copy of The Hobbit and offers comments on the story. The letter is held at the Bodleian Library archive.
23 September 1937
Helen Buckhurst to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1998
Helen Buckhurst writes to Tolkien to thank him for arranging for a copy of The Hobbit to be sent to her. She says the book is delightful, though she wis...
23 September 1937
Jennie Grove to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2009
Jennie Grove writes to Tolkien thanking him for the copy of The Hobbit she has recieved. She is "delighted" by it and hopes that it is a huge ...
24 September 1937
Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2018
Hilary writes to Tolkien thanking him for sending a copy of The Hobbit. He will read it soon and then will read it with Gabriel, his eldest son. He also...
27 September 1937
W.R. Childe to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2012
Tolkien had arranged that a copy of The Hobbit be sent to Childe, and Childe writes to congratulate Tolkien on its publication and offers thanks for his...
1 October 1937
Jane Neave to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2002
Tolkien's Aunt Jane (Neave) writes to Tolkien demanding to know more about his new book, The Hobbit. Tolkien had written to her, and signed a copy ...
7 October 1937
Mary St John [Wiseman] to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2034
Mary writes to Tolkien asking if he would send her a presentation copy of The Hobbit. In return she will send him prayers. This letter is found among th...
9 October 1937
Jane Neave to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2004
Aunt Jane writes again to Tolkien now that she has recieved a copy of The Hobbit. She is delighted with it and says that "the origin of golf" ...
9 October 1937
W.R. Childe to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2013
Following his previous letter offering Tolkien thanks and congratulations on The Hobbit, Childe sends a postcard with congratulations on the positive re...
5 November 1937
F.E. Harmer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2036
F.E. Harmer, a colleague from Manchester writes to Tolkien to ask advice on the meaning of various Old English words and if Tolkien could present any ci...
16 November 1937
Grace Bindley Mountain to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2037
Tolkien's aunt, Grace, writes to him offering thoughts on The Hobbit.
28 November 1937
Geoffrey E. Selby to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2038
Selby writes to Tolkien on various matters related to The Hobbit. He asks about discrepancies between the text of The Hobbit and 'Thror's Map&...
13 December 1937
Arthur Ransome to J.R.R. Tolkien
#106
Arthur Ransome, best known for his Swallows and Amazons series of childrens books wrote to Tolkien in 1937 after The Hobbit had been published, firstly ...
14 December 1937
R. W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1161
Further to his earlier letters to Tolkien, Chambers had recently finished writing a review (see reference below) of Tolkien's Beowulf: The Monsters...
17 December 1937
W.G. Le Tall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2021
Following a letter the previous day from Stanley Unwin, Le Fall of Geoffrey Tyndale's Bookshop in Bath writes to Tolkien with details on the compet...
c. Christmas December 1937
Frederick Klaeber to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2766
Frederick Klaeber sends Tolkien a Christmas card.
22 December 1937
K. M. (Katherine Mary) Kilbride to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2126
K.M. Kilbride writes to Tolkien asking if he would sign a second printing of The Hobbit for her if she sent one to him. She had lent the book to a child...
24 December 1937
Gladys Lillian Tilly (Faulconbridge) [Aunt Lily] to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2039
Tolkien's Aunt Lily congratulates him on the publication of a second printing of The Hobbit. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library among thei...
27 December 1937
R.A. [Ruth] Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2040
G.B. Smith's mother, Ruth Smith, writes to Tolkien with thanks for the copy of The Hobbit he sent her. She also touches on Christopher Wiseman.
29 December 1937
W.G. Le Tall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2022
W.G. Le Tall again writes to Tolkien about the competition his bookshop is running on The Hobbit. The letter is held with the Tolkien Papers at the Bodl...
1938
18 January 1938
G.H. White to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2024
A reader had written to the Observer newspaper asking various questions on The Hobbit and Beowulf. White sends a clipping of that letter to Tolkien and ...
8 February 1938
W.G. Le Tall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2023
Le Tall sends his personal copy of The Hobbit for Tolkien to sign for him. He updates Tolkien on the competition, noting that it has not gone as well as...
13 February 1938
Florence Hadley to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2001
Tolkien's Aunt Florence (Hadley) writes to thank him the copy of The Hobbit which he sent to her in British Columbia, Canada. She notes that had he...
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. ...
22 March 1938
B.S. Harvey to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2041
B.S. Harvey of the National Provincial Bank writes to Tolkien acknowledging payment of some cheques and as a post script asks Tolkien if he would mind s...
3 May 1938
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2151
Kenneth Sisam writes to Tolkien on E.O.G. Turville-Petre's Viga-Glúms Saga. He notes that it will be published in their Oxford English Monographs ...
13 May 1938
M. Williams to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2042
M. Williams, a former student at Oxford, now of the Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, New York, writes to Tolkien offering memories of her tim...
6 June 1938
Francis P. Magoun to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2043
Francis P. Magoun of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA writes to Tolkien in praise of The Hobbit. He notes his growing interest in Gothic. Magoun had visite...
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...
4 September 1938
Catherine Lambert to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2045
Catherine Lambert, a writer from London writes to Tolkien on The Hobbit and mentions her own publications. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library a...
1940
3 January 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Society (R.W. Chapman)
#1170
Tolkien in a letter to The Society (addressed to Chapman) says he is not able to host The Society meeting and dinner as Exeter and Pembroke are not avai...
1945
22 May 1945
Stephen Bone to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2046
Stephen Bone, the writer and painter, writes to Tolkien. He remarks on his children's enjoyment of The Hobbit and asks Tolkien if he would send him...
1946
16 April 1946
Peter Eubanks to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2761
Peter Eubanks, of Berkeley, California and a fan of The Hobbit, writes to Tolkien to ask him to write a sequel to it.
1947
13 January 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Gilbert Murray
#1177
Writing to Gilbert Murray, Tolkien with regret notes that he is powerless to help with the task of securing employment of one J.C. Ghosh, an Indian stud...
23 November 1947
Stephen Bone to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2047
Following on from his letter in 1945, Bone returns a specimen page from The Lord of the Rings and discusses it. We currently have no record of Tolkien&a...
c. Early December 1947
Katharine Farrer to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2048
Farrer replies to Tolkien, again in runes and says that she would welcome a key to the Dwarvish alphabet. This was written on a postcard that accompanie...
1948
5 January 1948
Mother M. Agnes to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2049
Mother M. Agnes, a former pupil from Leeds and now at Maryfield College, Dublin, writes to Tolkien asking if he recalls her from that time at Leeds. She...
31 March 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2050
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
8 April 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2051
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
c. early November 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2052
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
11 December 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2053
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
31 December 1948
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2054
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
1949
25 January 1949
Mary Thompson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2702
Mary Thompson, a teacher from Leamington High School for Girls, writes to Tolkien offering praise for The Hobbit and asking about a sequel. She includes...
18 March 1949
Olwen Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2058
Hugh Brogan's mother, Olwen, writes to Tolkien on the matter of him visiting them in Cambridge. She says he is very welcome and suggests the 20th (...
4 April 1949 (postmark)
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2055
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
18 May 1949
Henry Willink to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2065
Henry Willink, a colleague from Magdalene College, Cambridge, writes to Tolkien giving him an update on his wife's ill-health and to offer his admi...
13 August 1949
Hugh Brogan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2056
In a series of seven letters, a young reader, Hugh Brogan, writes to Tolkien on the matter of his "thirst for more information about Middle-earth&q...
1950
10 January 1950
Helen Gardner to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2746
Helen Gardner, an Oxford colleague of Tolkien's writes to him. She encloses a message of appreciation from Richard Duncan-Jones, whose sister'...
28 January 1950
Tilda and Joy Duff to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2747
Tilda and Joy Duff write to Tolkien with praise for The Hobbit.
1951
By 18 July 1951
J.R.R. Tolkien to Congrès International de Philologie Moderne
#2844
Tolkien submits his conference paper, Middle English 'Losenger', to the organizers of the Congrès International de Philologie Moderne in Liège.
25 November 1951
J.R.R. Tolkien to Iona and Peter Opie
#155
This letter, of which excerpts were published in The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren concerned the etymology of the word 'faynights'. Afte...
1953
11 July 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#1080
Tolkien advises his student Burchfield about his thesis about Ormulum - the proposed thesis title is remarkably close to a recent German publication tha...
1954
11 October 1954
Katharine Briggs to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1715
Briggs very much enjoyed reading The Fellowship of the Ring and asks if the next book will be published by Christmas. She had issues with the changes to...
21 October 1954
Katharine Briggs to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1716
Briggs thanks Tolkien for his reply (#TCGLetter1712) to her first letter (#TCGLetter1715). She looks forward to The Two Towers and The Return of the Kin...
6 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#194
Tolkien remarks on the reception to The Fellowship of the Ring by his colleagues.
1955
2 June 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosemary Summers
#1166
Replying to Rosemary Summers, believed to be a teacher, Tolkien says that some critics argued the Hobbit was too frightening for children. Her school ch...
1956
12 January 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Peter Scott
#1652
Tolkien writes to Peter Scott, of the London Newman Circle. He declines the invitation to give a public lecture, as he is too busy to talk about himself...
1961
16 January 1961
C.S. Lewis to The Swedish Academy
#1661
C.S. Lewis writes to the Swedish Academy. He believes that J.R.R. Tolkien deserves the Nobel Prize in literature and nominates him for the award. A phot...
1963
16 May 1963
Bruce Mitchell to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2767
Bruce Mitchell writes to Tolkien on the matter of his article on Beowulf.
16 May 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Beaumont
#2768
Tolkien begins a letter to a Mr. Beaumont about a house-move.
23 May 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Bruce Mitchell
#814
Tolkien writes to discuss various matters on Beowulf.
1964
17 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#923
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Bodleian and a copy at the Wade.
24 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#925
No details of this letter are known.
15 December 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#928
Jocelyn Gibb requested any letters from C. S. Lewis that could be included in a forthcoming volume. Tolkien exchanged few letters with C. S. Lewis, as t...
1965
28 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#929
Tolkien sends his thanks to Gibb for sending a copy of the book Light on C.S. Lewis and notes that it says more about the contributors than of Lewis him...
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