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Mabel Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien's mother, writes to her husband's parents saying that John Ronald does not go outside in the daytime due to the heat. She ...
This letter to Arthur Tolkien, father of Ronald and Hilary, was dictated by Tolkien's nurse. Mabel, Tolkien's mother, received a telegram that day that ...
May Incledon writes to Mabel Tolkien on the subject of her prayers. Her and Mabel (her sister), were converting to be members of the Catholic chruch and...
Tolkien writes a puzzling letter, for Father francis, written in rebus code. The letter is held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
Writing to his friend, after reading parts of Wisemans letter to G.B. Smith, Tolkien agrees that the group (T.C.B.S.) has drifted apart but that it is i...
G.B. Smith writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, thanking him for the letter he wrote to him. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien probably...
Smith writes to thank Tolkien for hosting him, describing it as a "splendid two days". This letter is held at the 'Tolkien Papers, Bodleian Library, Oxf...
Upon his return from a night working party, Gilson replies to Tolkien's letter noting that he is cheered to hear from the T.C.B.S. This is the last lett...
Smith writes to Tolkien, he has seen the newspaper and Rob Gilson is named among the dead. He had died on 1 July but had originally been named among the...
Smith thanks Tolkien for his letter, he thinks that "there are still a great many sober men and true..." This letter is among the 'Tolkien Papers, Bodle...
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 maybe...
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 South General H...
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...
Writing to Tolkien, Wiseman returns the manuscripts of G.B. Smith's verse noting that does not think the book should be "Opera Omnia", suggesting it sho...
Tolkien and Johnson had met on 12 February when Tolkien handed over material for A Middle English Vocabulary. Tolkien had forgotten to include a revised...
Tolkien sends the completed manuscript of his A Middle English Vocabulary
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 ...
A manuscript letter from Tolkien to Cyril Brett, on the subject of Tolkien & Gordon's edition of Sir Gawain & The Green Knight (Oxford, 1925).
Sisam had sent Tolkien a proof of the frontispiece for Sir Gawain and two sets of proofs from the Clarendon Chaucer with comments from Gordon and Tolkie...
Sisam replies to Tolkien giving him dates to return the Clarendon Chaucer. He wants the glossary by end of year, 31 December at the latest and the notes...
George S. Gordon writes to Kenneth Sisam. Tolkien has sent to him manuscript of his glossary for the Clarendon Chaucer, with a preface, for Gordon to lo...
A manuscript letter from Tolkien to Cyril Brett, on the subject of Tolkien & Gordon's edition of Sir Gawain & The Green Knight (Oxford, 1925).
Sisam writes to Tolkien, reminding him that he was meant to have handed in his notes on the Clarendon Chaucer by the end of January.
This handwritten letter over 2 pages finds Tolkien discussing academia at Leeds University and his own poetry. Brett-Smith had written Tolkien a letter ...
As with Tolkien's ealier letter The original letter is now held at The Marion E. Wade Center.
Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. The contents of this letter is currently unknown. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Col...
Tolkien writes to Kenneth Sisam with news that he has finished his modern prose translation of Beowulf. Much of the letter remains unpublished but a por...
A one-page typewritten letter of recommendation JRRT wrote on behalf of A. H. Smith, recommending him “for an appointment as lecturer and teacher of E...
Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. Very little is known of the contents. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Collection.
Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. Few details are known on the letters contents. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Collec...
Gordon was intending to start an Icelandic collection at Leeds. Tolkien writes to him on the matter.
Hammond/Scull note in Chronology, p. 159 that Tolkien, Onions, and Wyld sign a letter to the Secretary of Faculties on appointing a lecturer to teach En...
Tolkien writes to Sisam. He has done as much work on the Clarendon Chaucer as possible during his "shattered vac". He is now to be snowed under with wor...
Letter of recommendation for his B.Litt. student A. F. Colborn.
Writing to Kenneth Sisam, Tolkien informs him that Sigelwara Land will be published over three volumes of Medium Ævum. He thanks Sisam, likely for the ...
Writing to Tolkiem, Simonne d'Ardenne asking how his recovery is coming along after his injury. She will update him on her viva once she knows a date an...
This entry covers various letters between Tolkien, the Registry University of Oxford and King Edward VI School, Birmingham, relating to Tolkien’s tenu...
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...
C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien on matters of his illustrations for The Hobbit. His drawings are admirable and blocks for them are being produced....
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...
Susan Dagnall writes to Tolkien, correcting a misstatement in her previous letter . Thror's Map will ahve to be used as an endpaper due to costs, but no...
Chambers writing to Tolkien tells him that he must not "delete a single word from" his Beowulf lecture. The letter from Chambers is found in Oxford, Bod...
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 writes back to Furth in regards to the dustjacket design for The Hobbit. Furth wrote on April 15th that the pink hue that Tolkien put on the mou...
Furth writes to Tolkien to say that the red will have to be removed from The Hobbit jacket and the sun will have an outline to highlight it. This letter...
C. A. Furth informs Tolkien that a US publisher is interested in publishing The Hobbit and they would like to add four colour illustrations to the book....
Tolkien, writing to GA&U approves the dust-jacket for The Hobbit but feels the sun would be better with a finer outline. He prefers the green binding an...
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...
Writing to Tolkien, C. A. Furth of GA&U asks him to return the approved binding for The Hobbit. He agrees that the 'wavy line' will be removed, but says...
Tolkien writes to Furth of GA&U. He agrees that the revised binding would do. He had hoped that the 'wavy line' would be transfromed into something and ...
Tolkien writes to GA&U and encloses the most recent photograph of himself as requested by Susan Dagnall. By letter or in person? He asks them again abou...
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 ...
Writing to Stanley Unwin, Tolkien hopes that they can lunch together when he visits London next, most likely in November. He has not as yet had time to ...
Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth asking that copies of The Hobbit be sent to R. W. Chambers and George S. Gordon. He says that GA&U can use the colour illu...
As requested by Tolkien, C. A. Furth sends a copy of The Hobbit to R. W. Chambers. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent...
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...
Furth confirms that he has sent the copies of the Hobbit to the people Tolkien requested. He includes the drawing of a dragon that Tolkien had produced ...
Writing to C.A. Furth, and apologizes for his lengthy letter regarding the dustcover blurb. Tolkien believes he is still waiting on five copies of The H...
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...
A short note enclosed with a copy of The Hobbit which was published on the same day. It was sent to Simonne d'Ardenne as a gift. This letter is held amo...
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 success fo...
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 of th...
Mary This letter is found among the Bodeian archives Tolkien Papers.
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" finished h...
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. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library archives with the Tolkien Papers.
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'. This let...
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 and t...
Replying to Arthur Ransome's letter of 13th December Tolkien opens with exclamations of honour at receiving a letter from Ransome. Tolkien apologizes fo...
Stanley writes to Tolkien with news that the first edition of The Hobbit has sold and a new printing will be issued almost immediately. He notes that To...
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...
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 competiti...
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 their Tol...
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 Tolkien. This let...
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 her sis...
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...
Stanley writes a short cover letter to Tolkien explaining that Rayner has had little time (going to boarding school on this day), but has scribbled down...
Rayner "scribbles" a book report on the first three chapters of the Hobbit sequel. His father Stanley sends this review to Tolkien along with a cover le...
Tolkien provides a letter of recommendation for his B.Litt student A.F. Colborn.
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 sends his condolences to the wife of E.V. Gordon, who had recently died due to complications from an operation. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scul...
Edith sends her condolances for the death of Ida's husband, E. V. Gordon.
Tolkien pays tribute to E. V. Gordon, and offers any help he can, talking about finances, the publication of 'The Wanderer' and 'The Seafarer', and the ...
Tolkien has been ill. He offers advice on Ida's financial situation after the death of her husband, E.V. Gordon.
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 offers more condolences about the Gordon family's loss, and talks more about his childhood. He acknowledges receipt of papers relating to Pearl ...
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...
Writing to his wife, Charles Willians notes that Tolkien and Lewis have asked him to lecture at Magdalen next term if he's still around at that time.
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...
Charles Williams, writing to his wife, says that Tolkien and Lewis are taking him to the Divinity School at Oxford tomorrow. Note that Wayne Hammond and...
Tolkien writes a letter to J.L.N. O’Loughlin. He is currently organising courses for the Navy and Air Force cadets. At a board meeting which Tolkien d...
This three page letter is held at the Wade but no details of it are known. The Charles Williams collection at the Wade states this is "A "Closed Letter"...
Tolkien sends a postcard with greetings to Selby. He also notes that Priscilla, his daughter, is typing early chapters of The Lord of the Rings, which h...
In this long letter, Tolkien mentions derivations of "convent" and "Coventry". Published in The Catholic Herald, 23 February 1945, and extracts from it ...
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...
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 a ma...
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 writes to Adrian after he had visited Cambridge. Nothing else is known and the letter is undated but he visited Cambs in 1947. The original lett...
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...
Tolkien writes to Jennifer with some advice on an Oxford College, and errors in The Hobbit. A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkien C...
Following on from his letter in 1945, Bone returns a speciman page from The Lord of the Rings and discusses it. We currently have no record of Tolkien's...
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...
Tolkien sends thanks for his time with Knox in Scotland. Tolkien had given his lecture 'On Fairy-Stories' to the University of St Andrews in 1939. Notin...
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...
Tolkien had received a parcel, he thanks O'Loughlin and confirms it arrived safely. Tolkien has been very busy and had flu recently, hence his delayed r...
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" This ...
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" Tolki...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade Center. Noted as "(collection) L-Allen (date) May 12, 1948 (sender) Christopher Tolkien (rec...
A two page letter written in response to a Max Beerbohm scholar who asked what Tolkien thought of Beerbohm. Tolkien writes that his cartoons amuse him, ...
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" and r...
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" and r...
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" This ...
Tolkien sends a rushed note saying that he will act immediately. On behalf of what it is not known.
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 (Sunda...
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" and r...
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 admiratio...
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" and r...
Two page handwritten letter in which JRRT congratulates Smith on the Quain election and writes on behalf of a student named Mrs. Pietrkiewicz, maiden na...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade and consists of two pages.
Tolkien advises his student Burchfield about his thesis about Ormulum - the proposed thesis title is remarkably close to a recent German publication tha...
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...
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 discusses C.S. Lewis and his invitation to Cambridge. Lewis had intitially refused the offer citing family obligations, namely his brothers heal...
Tolkien writes to H.S. Bennett who had written to Tolkien the previous day. He discusses the proposed move by C.S. Lewis to Cambridge. C.S. Lewis would ...
This letter is housed at the Wade Center but no details are currently known of its contents.
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...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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. A photograph of the first half of the first page was included in Chris...
Tolkien writes to inform Heppenstall that he is unable to attend the rehearsal and the recording of the radio play for The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth whic...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien wishes that Mrs. Dixey will enjoy reading the as yet unpublished Return of the King, telling her that there are about 100 pages of appendices. I...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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–...
Letter to Mr. Mitchell, about reading The Lord of the Rings and extends offer to sign his 3 volumes. Tolkien hopes that his success with the The Lord of...
Tolkien expresses pleasure that his books cheered her. The recipient may be Joyce Biddell of Maidstone, Kent, who adapted the novel for the stage in 196...
Tolkien sends a note to congratulate Jennings on her book of poetry, A Way of Looking being published. He also makes a mention on Auden's new book, Shie...
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...
This letter remains unpublished and little is known beyond one quote, Tolkien says that "One must write to a map in being or times and distances get hop...
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....
No details of this letter are known but Tolkien also sent a letter the following day. Both letters are held at the Wade.
Among many subjects Tolkien discusses the unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Numenor, echoes of past tales. 'Tunes' for po...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Sent on the 13th April as a separate note along with #TCGLetter235, Tolkien apologises for the slow nature of his reply. A complete transcript along wit...
Written shortly after the publication of his new trilogy, Tolkien's letter comprises a thoughtful reply to a fan, Mr. Earle, who evidently was so excite...
Tolkien describes himself as a philologist, and sometime calligrapher. An index of Elvish names was intended to be produced, noting that his 'specialist...
Tolkien responds to Mr Tiller regarding a dramatic or semi-dramatic representation of The Lord of the Rings. He questions whether listeners unfamiliar w...
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 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 writes to Monckton, suggesting dates for the next dinner in the hopes that Monckton can attend and add more weight to the Oxford side. He had de...
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 ...
In reply to Tolkien's letter, Monckton writes to confirm that dates except one are good for him. He no longer works within the givernment so should be a...
Tolkien apologises for not replying earlier. he ahs been overworked, noting that he has not the aid of an assistant in his role. He would be delighted t...
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...
Monckton had written to say that he cannot make the dinner of 13 July. Tolkien replies that the next dinner will be held on 14 December. He reminds Monc...
Monckton replies to Tolkien but very little is known of the content. It is assumed that he included his subscription which was late and perhaps discusse...
Tolkien discusses an invitation to visit the Marquette University the following spring as well health issues. He had been obliged to cancel plans to tra...
This letter sent on the same day as another (see #TCGLetter325) was to determine the practicalities of the visit to Marquette. The original letter, in t...
Tolkien writes to William Ready of Marquette to confirm to him his intention to visit Marquette the following year. The original letter and a complete t...
Tolkien expresses dissatisfaction with the current script for the proposed film version of The Lord of the Rings. Previously, Wayne G. Hammond and Chris...
William Ready of Marquette writes to Tolkien acknowledging Tolkien's proposed visit in 1958.
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...
A brief note thanking a fan for their letter about The Lord of the Rings. A typeset of part of the letter exists in the Marquette archives.
This letter, held at the Marquette archives from Rayner Unwin to the archives of The J.R.R. Tolkien Collection concerned corrections for the Return of t...
Rayner has found a lady who can index The Lord of the Rings for him, and notes that he has said it is to be in "two parts". One of proper names and one ...
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 had been visited by Forest J. Ackerman in September 1957 (see reference) to discuss a proposed adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Ackerman sho...
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin, including a letter with a sheet of answers to be forwarded to Nancy Smith. He has been waylaid by many bothers and will ...
After receiving the script sent from Morton Grady Zimmerman Tolkien replies with (in parts) stinging criticism. He opens by apologising for sounding irr...
Tolkien responds to questions, explaining the inspiration and meaning behind various elements in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien concludes by emphasizing...
Tolkien expresses reluctance to divulge personal details but acknowledges some significant facts about himself. He shares personal preferences, includin...
Tolkien makes arrangements for the transfer of money regarding the purchase of his manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings. The original letter in the form...
Tolkien writes with gratitude regarding Ready's arrangement of the purchase by the Marquette University of Tolkien's manuscripts for The Lord of the Rin...
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...
A fascinating letter on the labors of producing his iconic work, concluding with a humorous aside on real-life namesakes of his famous characters. A pho...
Tolkien informs Rayner that by way of looking at the "Scunthorpe lists" This letter is held at the 'Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins'.
No details are known of this letter. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien's publishing commitments are catching up with him. Chronology reproduced a slightly longer selection of the letter than what appears in Letters....
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...
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...
Tolkien writes about including the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings in translations. Quoted selections from the letter appear in Chronology that are ...
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 thanks Mr. Barnetson for his letter, He does not consider the book to be based on "German or Icelandic folklore" but says it has a northern air ...
Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with 'Tom Bombadil' as the book is too small according to GA&U. He notes that he believed a small vol...
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 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 explaining that "I prefer hobitos since it preserves to the eye more relationship to the original word. I do not much mind the h being 'm...
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...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien discusses Beowulf, The short extract above comes from Kevin Crossley-Holland's 1968 translation of Beowulf. See ( Longer extracts were published...
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 answers questions about The Lord of the Rings, especially regarding the failure of Frodo. Marquette archives have a partial transcript along wit...
Tolkien writes to his secretary about the American deluxe Hobbit proposal, which had sent him a specimen of artwork from Virgil Finlay. He has some issu...
A brief letter stating that The Silmarillion is not yet complete, but that The Adventures of Tom Bombadil should be coming out soon in America. He compl...
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 ...
Tolkien writes on Christmas Day to Nancy Smith who in the 1950s had prepared an index to the Lord of the Rings. He explains he had retrieved her letter ...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien replies to Justin Arundale aged ten explaining that the Silmarillion will not be published for some time yet. He closes by asking him to tell hi...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. See #Letter338 for more about the events after The Lord of the Rings. Chronology mentio...
In this typed letter with a hand written post script Tolkien discusses the development of The Lord of the Rings saying that Hobbits were not a late addi...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade and contains a handwritten letter and a typed letter.
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 replies to questions about how the manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings and Mr. Bliss were sold to Marquette University. Quotes are found in SEV...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien says that "the impression" that Sam is older than Frodo is in part due to the impression of their characters based on background and education. ...
Edith thanks Sterling Lanier, who had mailed five of his figurines to Professor Tolkien. Tolkien likes some of them, especially the Dwarf.
Tolkien writes about revising The Lord of the Rings. Additional quotes from this letter concerning the revising of Sir Gawain are published in Chronolog...
This is a stock reply letter but Tolkien adds that he is hindered in writing the Silmarillion because of having to revise The Lord of the Rings to fight...
Tolkien writing to Donald Swann mentions a visit from Swann and his wife. The Tolkien's were delighted to spend time with them. The matter of the visit ...
Wollheim tells Scott that he had offered Tolkien a settlement previously, this appears to be an outright lie, one which Tolkien figured out a few weeks ...
No details of this letter are known but it is almost certainly in regard to the ACE Books edition of The Lord of the Rings. It is held at the Wade.
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 the Librarian at Marquette asking for copies of manuscript materials needed for revising The Lord of the Rings. The original letter wi...
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...
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien writes thanking Donald Swann for the tickets. he notes that Priscilla cannot attend but he has asked Dr. Robert Havard (the Inklings) along in h...
Tolkien writes to his grandson Michael George, clarifying that he is interest in all apsects of Michael's "work and tastes". He says that he may have he...
Lanier sent Tolkien a copy of Dune by Frank Herbert for which Tolkien ended up owing a bill for the postage. Tolkien was unhappy that he was also charge...
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known. It is held with a complete transcript at the Marquette archives.
Tokien 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 hims...
Tolkien writes saying that while he has read O'Loughlin's article, he does not have the time to say more on it. A description of the letter was included...
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 to Wakeman declining an invitation to submit an entry for his new collection, Midcentury Authors. This letter is held at the Wade.
This letter remains unpublished. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien writing thanking Christine Jones for her interest and says that although he found her comments on the ending interesting: "If I answered all the...
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...
Tolkien thanks Lanier for his letter and other material (a science fiction newsletter) that has reached him by Christmas. Tolkien says he has sent the n...
Tolkien thanks Lanier for sending a copy of S.F.W.A. January Bulletin, saying the campaign has worked and Ace has offered acceptable terms. Tolkien cong...
Writing to Donald Swann Tolkien mentions a BBC2 broadcast that he will sadly miss. Tolkien mentions he has succeeded in his battle with Ace noting that ...
Tolkien writes about the publication of a proposed book about him by W.H. Auden. This letter comes shortly after Tolkien had written to W.H. Auden and h...
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 to Donald Swann, signed 'Ronald'. He discusses preparations for Swann’s recital, bringing in a piano, notices etc.
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann who had visited the Tolkiens. He and Edith were unwell at the time. This letter is held at the Wade.
Writing to Mother Anthony, Tolkien says that the "young man 'Williams'" at Oxford working at the University Press was almost certainly Charles Williams....
Tolkien suggests some days when the Scotts might visit him, as they are currently in London.
Tolkien had to leave Oxford for the day and is unable to meet with the Scotts. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien thanks Nan Scott for sending a photograph of them from her visit. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien thanks Kilby for his visit and apologizes for being busy. On a seperate page, Tolkien includes a three paragraph fragment from the review of an ...
Tolkien invites her to visit next time she is in Oxford, and he will sign books for her. It is held at the Wade.
Hammond and Scull make mention of Joy Hill writing to "a professor in London" on this date who was preparing a lecture on Tolkien. She has sent him deta...
Tolkien writes says that his son will be out for lunch on Thursday and wonders if he would like to join them.
Tolkien responds to Mrs. de Grummond's request for manuscript material. He declines. A brief quote from this letter is reproduced in Chronology. The let...
Tolkien replies with thanks for the pictures sent of the performance. He will show them to Kilby who attended the performance. The letter is held at the...
Tolkien discusses alterations to songs, specifically so that there is less of a clash with Michael Flanders' 'Sloth'. This letter is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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...
Tolkien apologizes for failing to sign his previous letter, and says he might have a moment to find something he could spare to donate to her project, a...
Tolkien writes to Gene Wolf about the origin of "Orc" and "Warg"
Tolkien invites the Swanns on the 20th December. The might be able to borrow the piano at a neighbor's house. He writes about melody. It is held at the ...
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
This letter, as #TCGLetter784 is publishing in part in Vinyar Tengwar 6. More to follow on the contents. It is held at the Marquette archives in the for...
Tolkien states that his efforts to help translators, or in reading their efforts, has made it clear that the nomenclature of people and places is diffic...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien writes thanking Kilby for an article on Barzun and for sending a turkey.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien writes to express his approval for the proposed Spanish translation of his works, referring the recipient to contact Allen & Unwin. A photocopy ...
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 sends background material for The Road Goes Ever On. He includes Galadriel's Lament and Chant written out "in a fair Elvish book-hand, rubricate...
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann offering transcripts of the Lament and Chant in Elvish script. This letter is held at the Wade.
Tolkien replies with graitutude for Felver's letter to him. He appreciates fans buying his books, eventually putting some small amount of money in his p...
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 writes to British ambassador Oscar Morland thanking him for his typed indexes, and that he will find them very useful when he has time to work o...
Replying to a letter from Sister Anne from St. Louis, Tolkien says he has no intention to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien thanks Swann for the book cover and compares the "t" rendered there to various occurrences from genuine manuscripts. It is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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...
In his letter of late November, Tolkien says that he had begun a letter "some time ago", but this had never been finished and remained unsent. Tolkien i...
No details of this letter are known but Huttar had visited Tolkien on this day (see reference below). The letter is held at the Wade.
No details are known about this letter. It is held at the Wade.
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 apologizes for his delay in replying, due to poor health, and he asks Swann and his wife to visit in January. Tolkien says that "doing nothing a...
Tolkien writes to Kilby with thanks for the turkey and mentions that he recently visited Ready. He is not happy that Ready is writing a book on him, as ...
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
Tolkien hopes to see Swann on the 14th, but cannot attend a performance of The Road Goes Ever On on the 15th. This letter is held at the Wade.
Tolkien was asked to write about his teenage memories and, along with 69 other contributors, this was published in the book Attacks of Taste, compiled a...
Tolkien wrote to the President of the Tolkien Society (of America - Dick Plotz) to express his displeasure at the forthcoming publication The Tolkien Re...
Tolkien writes to Kilby and mentions the book A Mind Awake: An Anothology of C. S. Lewis. He says that it reminded him of good things spread throughout ...
Tolkien's secretary acknowledges receipt of Johnston's booklet The Poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien. This letter is held at the Wade.
Tolkien replies to a letter from Johnston. He had sent Tolkien a copy of his booklet The Poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien thanks him and says that when...
Mary Fairburn has sent some of her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien really likes them and thinks they could be in an illustrated version...
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...
Tolkien complains about how the movers took advantage of Edith's health and did a bad job, for example putting furniture in the wrong rooms. Tolkien him...
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
No details of this letter are currently known. It is held at the Marquette archives along with a complete transcript.
Tolkien writes to the eldest daughter of Ida and E. V. Gordon. He has sent an autograph to friends of Bridget as requested, and mentions that he has mov...
Tolkien writes with remarks about Pauline Baynes' Middle-earth poster, mentioning that he thinks the only error on the printed map is Enedwaith for Ened...
Tolkien writing to Pauline Baynes returns a photocopy of the Middle-earth map, with comments. The spelling Enedwaith is correct. He also apologizes for ...
Tolkien writes to Mr Wood and sends three copies of his signature on cards, stating that he should keep one for himself.
Joy Hill writes to filmmaker John Boorman at Tolkien's request. Tolkien is sorry that Boorman has been ill, and hopes that Boorman will be able to visit...
John Boorman writes to Tolkien's secretary, apologizing for not being able to meet in person with Professor Tolkien and their mutual friend Father Magui...
John Boorman writes to his friend, the Reverend John Maguire of the Reading University Catholic Chaplaincy, who knows Tolkien. The three men had been pl...
Joy Hill has read Boorman's letter to Tolkien over the phone, and Tolkien hopes Boorman is now feeling better and looks forward to meeting him. He will ...
Boorman thanks Joy Hill for writing , and offers to come visit her in the George Allen & Unwin offices on the 13th of July. He would love to talk to her...
Boorman writes to Father Maguire. Boorman has arranged to meet up with Tolkien in August, sadly when Maguire is out of town. Boorman will let him know h...
Boorman apologizes for not being able to meet with Joy Hill during his visit to London. He was too busy dealing with United Artists and the launch of hi...
Joy Hill writes to confirm scheduling just discussed in a phone call. Boorman will meet with Rayner Unwin on Monday 17th August, and Tolkien in Bournemo...
Boorman writes to Tolkien's secretary (in her role as Press Officer for George Allen & Unwin), saying that he had hoped United Artists would have greenl...
Joy Hill thanks Boorman for letting her know that United Artists haven't greenlit the film yet. She looks forward to hearing when the project is ready, ...
Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
Joy Hill writes to filmmaker John Boorman, saying she had tried to call him on the phone but he had evidently already left the country. She is hoping to...
Joy Hill has recently heard from an American publisher (either Ballantine or Houghton Mifflin) that the film is moving forward, and asks for an update f...
Boorman is about to begin filming of "Deliverance", and hopes to be able to have news about The Lord of the Rings film in late July. It still isn't fina...
Joy Hill thanks Boorman for writing , and looks forward to hearing from him again when he returns near the end of July.
Noted only as "Letter to a member of the Braun family, 1972. MS. Braun 158, folder 2 (38). Braun archive given to the library in tranches, 2010-2017." t...
The contents of this letter have not been verified. According to the catalog entry at Marquette, Tolkien wrote to Meskys "explaining the use of numeric ...
From Marquette: "Speech by the Public Orator," speech given at the presentation of an honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters to J. R. R. Tolkien by Oxford...
Tolkien writes to Robert Burchfield profusely apologising about not returning one of Robert's books, Kentish Place-names by J.K. Wallenberg.
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's desk where he wrote parts of The Lord of the Rings and entirety of The Hobbit, so said by Tolkien himself. A photocopy of the letter with a co...
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 talks about numerals in The Lord of the Rings. A photocopy with a complete transcript is held at the Marquette archives.
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...
No details of this letter to Donald Swann and his wife Janet are known but the Swann's would visit Tolkien and his daughter Priscilla in late January or...
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...
In an update to his letter of 24 January Tolkien confirms that he has asked for GA&U to help clear up the matter of the copyright situation and thanks L...
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 sends Canon Power a signature with a copy of a publication. He mentions his childhood, growing up in Birmingham, and J. H. Shorthouse's book Joh...
Kilby, curator of the Wade Center archives, responds to a query about his book Tolkien and the Silmarillion, offering to have the College Bookstore mail...
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Archive holdings
(358 letters match)1893
4 March 1893
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Mabel Tolkien to John Benjamin Tolkien and Mary Jane Tolkien
#988
Mabel Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien's mother, writes to her husband's parents saying that John Ronald does not go outside in the daytime due to the heat. She ...
1896
14 February 1896
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Tolkien
#41
This letter to Arthur Tolkien, father of Ronald and Hilary, was dictated by Tolkien's nurse. Mabel, Tolkien's mother, received a telegram that day that ...
1900
Early (Spring) 1900
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May Incledon to Mabel Tolkien
#1879
May Incledon writes to Mabel Tolkien on the subject of her prayers. Her and Mabel (her sister), were converting to be members of the Catholic chruch and...
1904
8 August 1904
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Francis Morgan
#42
Tolkien writes a puzzling letter, for Father francis, written in rebus code. The letter is held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford.
1914
16 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman
#1110
Writing to his friend, after reading parts of Wisemans letter to G.B. Smith, Tolkien agrees that the group (T.C.B.S.) has drifted apart but that it is i...
1916
February 3, 1916
Geoffrey B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1112
G.B. Smith writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, thanking him for the letter he wrote to him. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien probably...
?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". This letter is held at the 'Tolkien Papers, Bodleian Library, Oxf...
22 June 1916
Rob Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1542
Upon his return from a night working party, Gilson replies to Tolkien's letter noting that he is cheered to hear from the T.C.B.S. This is the last lett...
15 July 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1545
Smith writes to Tolkien, he has seen the newspaper and Rob Gilson is named among the dead. He had died on 1 July but had originally been named among the...
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 'Tolkien Papers, Bodle...
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 maybe...
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 South General H...
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
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 does not think the book should be "Opera Omnia", suggesting it sho...
1921
14 February 1921
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Johnson
#1612
Tolkien and Johnson had met on 12 February when Tolkien handed over material for A Middle English Vocabulary. Tolkien had forgotten to include a revised...
1922
Early 1922
J.R.R. Tolkien to Oxford University Press
#1614
Tolkien sends the completed manuscript of his A Middle English Vocabulary
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 ...
1924
24 August 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cyril Brett
#1006
A manuscript letter from Tolkien to Cyril Brett, on the subject of Tolkien & Gordon's edition of Sir Gawain & The Green Knight (Oxford, 1925).
23 October 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1642
Sisam had sent Tolkien a proof of the frontispiece for Sir Gawain and two sets of proofs from the Clarendon Chaucer with comments from Gordon and Tolkie...
5 December 1924
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1645
Sisam replies to Tolkien giving him dates to return the Clarendon Chaucer. He wants the glossary by end of year, 31 December at the latest and the notes...
8 December 1924
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1646
George S. Gordon writes to Kenneth Sisam. Tolkien has sent to him manuscript of his glossary for the Clarendon Chaucer, with a preface, for Gordon to lo...
1925
2 February 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to Cyril Brett
#1007
A manuscript letter from Tolkien to Cyril Brett, on the subject of Tolkien & Gordon's edition of Sir Gawain & The Green Knight (Oxford, 1925).
5 February 1925
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1651
Sisam writes to Tolkien, reminding him that he was meant to have handed in his notes on the Clarendon Chaucer by the end of January.
22 July 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to H.F.B. Brett-Smith
#67
This handwritten letter over 2 pages finds Tolkien discussing academia at Leeds University and his own poetry. Brett-Smith had written Tolkien a letter ...
8 August 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to H.F.B. Brett-Smith
#68
As with Tolkien's ealier letter The original letter is now held at The Marion E. Wade Center.
21 November 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to Brian Woledge
#1003
Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. The contents of this letter is currently unknown. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Col...
1926
?26 April 1926
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1013
Tolkien writes to Kenneth Sisam with news that he has finished his modern prose translation of Beowulf. Much of the letter remains unpublished but a por...
4 May 1926
J.R.R. Tolkien to A. H. Smith
#1819
A one-page typewritten letter of recommendation JRRT wrote on behalf of A. H. Smith, recommending him “for an appointment as lecturer and teacher of E...
15 June 1926
J.R.R. Tolkien to Brian Woledge
#1004
Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. Very little is known of the contents. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Collection.
17 June 1926
J.R.R. Tolkien to Brian Woledge
#1005
Tolkien wrote to Brian Woledge, who was an ex-student. Few details are known on the letters contents. One of three letters from the Leeds Library Collec...
1929
2 January 1929
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eric Valentine Gordon
#72
Gordon was intending to start an Icelandic collection at Leeds. Tolkien writes to him on the matter.
20 May 1929
J.R.R. Tolkien, C.T. Onions, H.C. Wyld to Secretary of Faculties, University of Oxford
#1731
Hammond/Scull note in Chronology, p. 159 that Tolkien, Onions, and Wyld sign a letter to the Secretary of Faculties on appointing a lecturer to teach En...
1931
22 January 1931
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1634
Tolkien writes to Sisam. He has done as much work on the Clarendon Chaucer as possible during his "shattered vac". He is now to be snowed under with wor...
1932
27 May 1932
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J.R.R. Tolkien to A.F. Colborn
#74
Letter of recommendation for his B.Litt. student A. F. Colborn.
18 December 1932
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1768
Writing to Kenneth Sisam, Tolkien informs him that Sigelwara Land will be published over three volumes of Medium Ævum. He thanks Sisam, likely for the ...
1936
9 March 1936
Simonne d'Ardenne to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1817
Writing to Tolkiem, Simonne d'Ardenne asking how his recovery is coming along after his injury. She will update him on her viva once she knows a date an...
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 tenu...
4 January 1937
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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...
7 January 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1845
C. A. Furth of GA&U writes to Tolkien on matters of his illustrations for The Hobbit. His drawings are admirable and blocks for them are being produced....
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...
1 February 1937
Susan Dagnall to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1848
Susan Dagnall writes to Tolkien, correcting a misstatement in her previous letter . Thror's Map will ahve to be used as an endpaper due to costs, but no...
2 February 1937
R. W. Chambers to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1159
Chambers writing to Tolkien tells him that he must not "delete a single word from" his Beowulf lecture. The letter from Chambers is found in Oxford, Bod...
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...
25 April 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Furth
#137
Tolkien writes back to Furth in regards to the dustjacket design for The Hobbit. Furth wrote on April 15th that the pink hue that Tolkien put on the mou...
28 April 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1871
Furth writes to Tolkien to say that the red will have to be removed from The Hobbit jacket and the sun will have an outline to highlight it. This letter...
11 May 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1872
C. A. Furth informs Tolkien that a US publisher is interested in publishing The Hobbit and they would like to add four colour illustrations to the book....
28 May 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Allen & Unwin
#475
Tolkien, writing to GA&U approves the dust-jacket for The Hobbit but feels the sun would be better with a finer outline. He prefers the green binding an...
28 May 1937
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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...
1 June 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1919
Writing to Tolkien, C. A. Furth of GA&U asks him to return the approved binding for The Hobbit. He agrees that the 'wavy line' will be removed, but says...
?9 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1945
Tolkien writes to Furth of GA&U. He agrees that the revised binding would do. He had hoped that the 'wavy line' would be transfromed into something and ...
?22 July 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Allen & Unwin
#1946
Tolkien writes to GA&U and encloses the most recent photograph of himself as requested by Susan Dagnall. By letter or in person? He asks them again abou...
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 ...
13 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#1967
Writing to Stanley Unwin, Tolkien hopes that they can lunch together when he visits London next, most likely in November. He has not as yet had time to ...
13 August 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#1966
Tolkien writes to C. A. Furth asking that copies of The Hobbit be sent to R. W. Chambers and George S. Gordon. He says that GA&U can use the colour illu...
c. 14 August 1937
George Allen & Unwin to R.W. Chambers
#1984
As requested by Tolkien, C. A. Furth sends a copy of The Hobbit to R. W. Chambers. It is assumed that with any manuscript/proofs or copies of books sent...
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...
16 August 1937
C.A. Furth (GA&U) to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1968
Furth confirms that he has sent the copies of the Hobbit to the people Tolkien requested. He includes the drawing of a dragon that Tolkien had produced ...
5-7 September 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth (of George Allen and Unwin)
#81
Writing to C.A. Furth, and apologizes for his lengthy letter regarding the dustcover blurb. Tolkien believes he is still waiting on five copies of The H...
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...
21 September 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Simonne d'Ardenne
#82
A short note enclosed with a copy of The Hobbit which was published on the same day. It was sent to Simonne d'Ardenne as a gift. This letter is held amo...
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 success fo...
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 of th...
7 October 1937
Mary St John [Wiseman] to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2034
Mary This letter is found among the Bodeian archives Tolkien Papers.
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" finished h...
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
G.B. [Grace Bindley] Mountain to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2037
Tolkien's aunt, Grace, writes to him offering thoughts on The Hobbit. This letter is held at the Bodleian Library archives with the Tolkien Papers.
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'. This let...
13 December 1937
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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 and t...
15 December 1937
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Ransome
#105
Replying to Arthur Ransome's letter of 13th December Tolkien opens with exclamations of honour at receiving a letter from Ransome. Tolkien apologizes fo...
15th December 1937
Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1109
Stanley writes to Tolkien with news that the first edition of The Hobbit has sold and a new printing will be issued almost immediately. He notes that To...
16 December 1937
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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...
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 competiti...
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 their Tol...
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 Tolkien. This let...
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 her sis...
20 February 1938*
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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...
3rd May, 1938
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Stanley Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1989
Stanley writes a short cover letter to Tolkien explaining that Rayner has had little time (going to boarding school on this day), but has scribbled down...
3 May 1938
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1990
Rayner "scribbles" a book report on the first three chapters of the Hobbit sequel. His father Stanley sends this review to Tolkien along with a cover le...
21 July 1938
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J.R.R. Tolkien to A.F. Colborn
#108
Tolkien provides a letter of recommendation for his B.Litt student A.F. Colborn.
24 July 1938
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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
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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
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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 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon
#1125
Tolkien sends his condolences to the wife of E.V. Gordon, who had recently died due to complications from an operation. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scul...
31 Jul 1938
Edith Tolkien to Ida Gordon
#1128
Edith sends her condolances for the death of Ida's husband, E. V. Gordon.
11 Aug 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon
#1126
Tolkien pays tribute to E. V. Gordon, and offers any help he can, talking about finances, the publication of 'The Wanderer' and 'The Seafarer', and the ...
19 Aug 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon
#1127
Tolkien has been ill. He offers advice on Ida's financial situation after the death of her husband, E.V. Gordon.
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...
26 Sep 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon
#1129
Tolkien offers more condolences about the Gordon family's loss, and talks more about his childhood. He acknowledges receipt of papers relating to Pearl ...
1939
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...
12 October 1939
Charles Williams to Florence "Michal" Williams
#1787
Writing to his wife, Charles Willians notes that Tolkien and Lewis have asked him to lecture at Magdalen next term if he's still around at that time.
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
28 January 1940
Charles Williams to Florence "Michal" Williams
#1788
Charles Williams, writing to his wife, says that Tolkien and Lewis are taking him to the Divinity School at Oxford tomorrow. Note that Wayne Hammond and...
1943
29 January 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin
#117
Tolkien writes a letter to J.L.N. O’Loughlin. He is currently organising courses for the Navy and Air Force cadets. At a board meeting which Tolkien d...
C. November 1943
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Williams
#961
This three page letter is held at the Wade but no details of it are known. The Charles Williams collection at the Wade states this is "A "Closed Letter"...
1944
19 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.E. Selby
#120
Tolkien sends a postcard with greetings to Selby. He also notes that Priscilla, his daughter, is typing early chapters of The Lord of the Rings, which h...
1945
10-11 February 1945
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J.R.R. Tolkien to The Catholic Herald
#121
In this long letter, Tolkien mentions derivations of "convent" and "Coventry". Published in The Catholic Herald, 23 February 1945, and extracts from it ...
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...
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 a ma...
1946
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...
1947
undated but likely 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to Adrian
#899
Tolkien writes to Adrian after he had visited Cambridge. Nothing else is known and the letter is undated but he visited Cambs in 1947. The original lett...
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...
26 September 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jennifer Paxman
#128
Tolkien writes to Jennifer with some advice on an Oxford College, and errors in The Hobbit. A description of the letter appeared in The J.R.R. Tolkien C...
23 November 1947
Stephen Bone to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2047
Following on from his letter in 1945, Bone returns a speciman page from The Lord of the Rings and discusses it. We currently have no record of Tolkien's...
15 December 1947
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Katherine 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...
17 December 1947
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Malcolm Knox
#131
Tolkien sends thanks for his time with Knox in Scotland. Tolkien had given his lecture 'On Fairy-Stories' to the University of St Andrews in 1939. Notin...
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...
18 January 1948
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin
#132
Tolkien had received a parcel, he thanks O'Loughlin and confirms it arrived safely. Tolkien has been very busy and had flu recently, hence his delayed r...
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" This ...
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" Tolki...
12 May 1948
Christopher Tolkien to Edward A. Allen
#1167
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade Center. Noted as "(collection) L-Allen (date) May 12, 1948 (sender) Christopher Tolkien (rec...
20 August 1948
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.G. Riewald
#1915
A two page letter written in response to a Max Beerbohm scholar who asked what Tolkien thought of Beerbohm. Tolkien writes that his cartoons amuse him, ...
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" and r...
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" and r...
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" This ...
1949
7 January 1949
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J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N O'Loughlin
#150
Tolkien sends a rushed note saying that he will act immediately. On behalf of what it is not known.
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 (Sunda...
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" and r...
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 admiratio...
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" and r...
19 August 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to A. H. Smith
#1820
Two page handwritten letter in which JRRT congratulates Smith on the Quain election and writes on behalf of a student named Mrs. Pietrkiewicz, maiden na...
28 November 1949
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard
#930
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
1950
3 September 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Guy Milner
#941
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade and consists of two pages.
1953
11 July 1953
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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...
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...
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...
1954
17 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Henry Willink
#188
Tolkien discusses C.S. Lewis and his invitation to Cambridge. Lewis had intitially refused the offer citing family obligations, namely his brothers heal...
17 May 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to H.S. Bennett
#920
Tolkien writes to H.S. Bennett who had written to Tolkien the previous day. He discusses the proposed move by C.S. Lewis to Cambridge. C.S. Lewis would ...
?18 or 20 May 1954
Bennett? to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1164
This letter is housed at the Wade Center but no details are currently known of its contents.
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...
13 October 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Cheesman
#921
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#194
Tolkien remarks on the reception to The Fellowship of the Ring by his colleagues. A photograph of the first half of the first page was included in Chris...
17 November 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Heppenstall
#195
Tolkien writes to inform Heppenstall that he is unable to attend the rehearsal and the recording of the radio play for The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth whic...
1955
27 July 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Richard L. Sturch
#960
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
28 July 1955
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Dixey
#206
Tolkien wishes that Mrs. Dixey will enjoy reading the as yet unpublished Return of the King, telling her that there are about 100 pages of appendices. I...
27 September 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Martin C. Stone
#958
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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–...
22 October 1955
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Mitchell
#212
Letter to Mr. Mitchell, about reading The Lord of the Rings and extends offer to sign his 3 volumes. Tolkien hopes that his success with the The Lord of...
24 October 1955
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Joyce Biddell
#214
Tolkien expresses pleasure that his books cheered her. The recipient may be Joyce Biddell of Maidstone, Kent, who adapted the novel for the stage in 196...
2 December 1955
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Elizabeth Jennings
#215
Tolkien sends a note to congratulate Jennings on her book of poetry, A Way of Looking being published. He also makes a mention on Auden's new book, Shie...
8 December 1955
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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...
21 December 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs Rachael Feichtmeir
#229
This letter remains unpublished and little is known beyond one quote, Tolkien says that "One must write to a map in being or times and distances get hop...
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....
7 March 1956
William Galbraith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#922
No details of this letter are known but Tolkien also sent a letter the following day. Both letters are held at the Wade.
8 March 1956
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J.R.R. Tolkien to William Galbraith
#235
Among many subjects Tolkien discusses the unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Numenor, echoes of past tales. 'Tunes' for po...
15 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Martin C. Stone
#959
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
12-13 April 1956
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J.R.R. Tolkien to William Galbraith
#236
Sent on the 13th April as a separate note along with #TCGLetter235, Tolkien apologises for the slow nature of his reply. A complete transcript along wit...
12 April 1956
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Earle
#238
Written shortly after the publication of his new trilogy, Tolkien's letter comprises a thoughtful reply to a fan, Mr. Earle, who evidently was so excite...
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...
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...
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...
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 Walter Monckton
#1653
Tolkien writes to Monckton, suggesting dates for the next dinner in the hopes that Monckton can attend and add more weight to the Oxford side. He had de...
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 ...
4 March 1957
Walter Monckton to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1654
In reply to Tolkien's letter, Monckton writes to confirm that dates except one are good for him. He no longer works within the givernment so should be a...
9 June 1957
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J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#322
Tolkien apologises for not replying earlier. he ahs been overworked, noting that he has not the aid of an assistant in his role. He would be delighted t...
24 June 1957
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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...
9 July 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Walter Monckton
#1655
Monckton had written to say that he cannot make the dinner of 13 July. Tolkien replies that the next dinner will be held on 14 December. He reminds Monc...
15 July 1957
Walter Monckton to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1656
Monckton replies to Tolkien but very little is known of the content. It is assumed that he included his subscription which was late and perhaps discusse...
5 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jerome W. Archer
#325
Tolkien discusses an invitation to visit the Marquette University the following spring as well health issues. He had been obliged to cancel plans to tra...
5 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jerome W. Archer
#893
This letter sent on the same day as another (see #TCGLetter325) was to determine the practicalities of the visit to Marquette. The original letter, in t...
6 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#894
Tolkien writes to William Ready of Marquette to confirm to him his intention to visit Marquette the following year. The original letter and a complete t...
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...
26 September 1957
William Ready to J.R.R. Tolkien
#895
William Ready of Marquette writes to Tolkien acknowledging Tolkien's proposed visit in 1958.
17 November 1957
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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...
1958
C. 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to unknown
#1092
A brief note thanking a fan for their letter about The Lord of the Rings. A typeset of part of the letter exists in the Marquette archives.
Unknown but no earlier than 1958
Rayner Unwin to Marquette University
#1098
This letter, held at the Marquette archives from Rayner Unwin to the archives of The J.R.R. Tolkien Collection concerned corrections for the Return of t...
14 January 1958
Rayner Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1674
Rayner has found a lady who can index The Lord of the Rings for him, and notes that he has said it is to be in "two parts". One of proper names and one ...
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...
?11 April–c. 21 April and c. 28 April–5 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Forrest J. Ackerman
#915
Tolkien had been visited by Forest J. Ackerman in September 1957 (see reference) to discuss a proposed adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Ackerman sho...
27 May 1958
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1683
Tolkien writes to Rayner Unwin, including a letter with a sheet of answers to be forwarded to Nancy Smith. He has been waylaid by many bothers and will ...
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...
14 October 1958
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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...
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
21? February 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#342
Tolkien makes arrangements for the transfer of money regarding the purchase of his manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings. The original letter in the form...
5 March 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#343
Tolkien writes with gratitude regarding Ready's arrangement of the purchase by the Marquette University of Tolkien's manuscripts for The Lord of the Rin...
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...
1960
7 January 1960
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. K.F. Mawson
#452
A fascinating letter on the labors of producing his iconic work, concluding with a humorous aside on real-life namesakes of his famous characters. A pho...
9 February 1960
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1470
Carpenter #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'.
15 March 1960
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ruth Spalding
#957
No details are known of this letter. It is held at the Wade.
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....
1961
5 January 1961
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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...
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...
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 ...
8 June 1961
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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.
13 November 1961
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul Barnetson
#486
Tolkien thanks Mr. Barnetson for his letter, He does not consider the book to be based on "German or Icelandic folklore" but says it has a northern air ...
15 November 1961
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#487
Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with 'Tom Bombadil' as the book is too small according to GA&U. He notes that he believed a small vol...
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...
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...
19 September 1962
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alina Dadlez
#498
Tolkien writes explaining that "I prefer hobitos since it preserves to the eye more relationship to the original word. I do not much mind the h being 'm...
?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...
1963
April 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr. Charles Huttar
#932
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
23 May 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Bruce Mitchell
#814
Tolkien discusses Beowulf, The short extract above comes from Kevin Crossley-Holland's 1968 translation of Beowulf. See ( Longer extracts were published...
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...
22 September 1963
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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...
Oct 11 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#1862
Tolkien writes to his secretary about the American deluxe Hobbit proposal, which had sent him a specimen of artwork from Virgil Finlay. He has some issu...
6 December 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Madam Ossendrijver
#513
A brief letter stating that The Silmarillion is not yet complete, but that The Adventures of Tom Bombadil should be coming out soon in America. He compl...
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 ...
25-26 December 1963
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Nancy Smith
#511
Tolkien writes on Christmas Day to Nancy Smith who in the 1950s had prepared an index to the Lord of the Rings. He explains he had retrieved her letter ...
1964
17 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#923
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
18 January 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Justin Arundale
#542
Tolkien replies to Justin Arundale aged ten explaining that the Silmarillion will not be published for some time yet. He closes by asking him to tell hi...
22 January 1964
Jocelyn Gibb to J. R. R. Tolkien
#924
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
24 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#925
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
29 April 1964
Jocelyn Gibb to J.R.R. Tolkien
#926
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
13 May 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Colin Bailey
#630
Carpenter #256
An account of Tolkien’s unfinished story ‘The New Shadow’. See #Letter338 for more about the events after The Lord of the Rings. Chronology mentio...
10 July 1964
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Marcus
#551
In this typed letter with a hand written post script Tolkien discusses the development of The Lord of the Rings saying that Hobbits were not a late addi...
21 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to G. Burke Johnston
#938
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade and contains a handwritten letter and a typed letter.
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 Clyde S. Kilby
#569
Tolkien replies to questions about how the manuscripts of The Lord of the Rings and Mr. Bliss were sold to Marquette University. Quotes are found in SEV...
3 December 1964
Jocelyn Gibb to J.R.R. Tolkien
#927
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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...
17 December 1964
Jocelyn Gibb to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1165
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
1965
24 January 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joan O. Falconer
#575
Tolkien says that "the impression" that Sam is older than Frodo is in part due to the impression of their characters based on background and education. ...
11 February 1965
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Edith Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#587
Edith thanks Sterling Lanier, who had mailed five of his figurines to Professor Tolkien. Tolkien likes some of them, especially the Dwarf.
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 May 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#943
This is a stock reply letter but Tolkien adds that he is hindered in writing the Silmarillion because of having to revise The Lord of the Rings to fight...
7 June 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#965
Tolkien writing to Donald Swann mentions a visit from Swann and his wife. The Tolkien's were delighted to spend time with them. The matter of the visit ...
2 July 1965
Donald A. Wollheim to Nan C. Scott
#944
Wollheim tells Scott that he had offered Tolkien a settlement previously, this appears to be an outright lie, one which Tolkien figured out a few weeks ...
15 July 1965
Lovell Thompson to Nan C. Scott
#945
No details of this letter are known but it is almost certainly in regard to the ACE Books edition of The Lord of the Rings. It is held at the Wade.
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...
3 August 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Librarian at Marquette
#699
Tolkien writes to the Librarian at Marquette asking for copies of manuscript materials needed for revising The Lord of the Rings. The original letter wi...
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...
14 September 1965
Rayner Unwin to Nan C. Scott
#946
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
14 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#966
Tolkien writes thanking Donald Swann for the tickets. he notes that Priscilla cannot attend but he has asked Dr. Robert Havard (the Inklings) along in h...
16 September 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#701
Tolkien writes to his grandson Michael George, clarifying that he is interest in all apsects of Michael's "work and tastes". He says that he may have he...
29 September 1965
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#702
Lanier sent Tolkien a copy of Dune by Frank Herbert for which Tolkien ended up owing a bill for the postage. Tolkien was unhappy that he was also charge...
25 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#947
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
27 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared C. Lobdell
#1094
No details of this letter are known. It is held with a complete transcript at the Marquette archives.
28 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jocelyn Gibb
#929
Tokien 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 hims...
30 October 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin
#709
Tolkien writes saying that while he has read O'Loughlin's article, he does not have the time to say more on it. A description of the letter was included...
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...
30 November 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Wakeman
#964
Tolkien writes to Wakeman declining an invitation to submit an entry for his new collection, Midcentury Authors. This letter is held at the Wade.
1 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Charles Rose
#942
This letter remains unpublished. It is held at the Wade.
9 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christine Jones
#712
Tolkien writing thanking Christine Jones for her interest and says that although he found her comments on the ending interesting: "If I answered all the...
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
10 January 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#721
Tolkien thanks Lanier for his letter and other material (a science fiction newsletter) that has reached him by Christmas. Tolkien says he has sent the n...
14 February 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#723
Tolkien thanks Lanier for sending a copy of S.F.W.A. January Bulletin, saying the campaign has worked and Ace has offered acceptable terms. Tolkien cong...
23 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#967
Writing to Donald Swann Tolkien mentions a BBC2 broadcast that he will sadly miss. Tolkien mentions he has succeeded in his battle with Ace noting that ...
9 March 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Verhulst
#724
Tolkien writes about the publication of a proposed book about him by W.H. Auden. This letter comes shortly after Tolkien had written to W.H. Auden and h...
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...
17 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#968
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann, signed 'Ronald'. He discusses preparations for Swann’s recital, bringing in a piano, notices etc.
28 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#970
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann who had visited the Tolkiens. He and Edith were unwell at the time. This letter is held at the Wade.
12 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mother Mary Anthony
#747
Writing to Mother Anthony, Tolkien says that the "young man 'Williams'" at Oxford working at the University Press was almost certainly Charles Williams....
19 April 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#949
Tolkien suggests some days when the Scotts might visit him, as they are currently in London.
9 May 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#950
Tolkien had to leave Oxford for the day and is unable to meet with the Scotts. It is held at the Wade.
30 May 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#951
Tolkien thanks Nan Scott for sending a photograph of them from her visit. It is held at the Wade.
ca. July 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#818
Tolkien thanks Kilby for his visit and apologizes for being busy. On a seperate page, Tolkien includes a three paragraph fragment from the review of an ...
18 July 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#952
Tolkien invites her to visit next time she is in Oxford, and he will sign books for her. It is held at the Wade.
26 July 1966
Joy Hill to G.B. Johnson
#939
Hammond and Scull make mention of Joy Hill writing to "a professor in London" on this date who was preparing a lecture on Tolkien. She has sent him deta...
1 August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#819
Tolkien writes says that his son will be out for lunch on Thursday and wonders if he would like to join them.
15 August 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Lena de Grummond
#1916
Tolkien responds to Mrs. de Grummond's request for manuscript material. He declines. A brief quote from this letter is reproduced in Chronology. The let...
26 August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Webster
#962
Tolkien replies with thanks for the pictures sent of the performance. He will show them to Kilby who attended the performance. The letter is held at the...
29 August 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#971
Tolkien discusses alterations to songs, specifically so that there is less of a clash with Michael Flanders' 'Sloth'. This letter is held at the Wade.
October 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann and Flanders
#972
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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...
17 October 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Lena de Grummond
#1917
Tolkien apologizes for failing to sign his previous letter, and says he might have a moment to find something he could spare to donate to her project, a...
7 November 1966
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Gene Wolfe
#485
Carpenter #290a
Tolkien writes to Gene Wolf about the origin of "Orc" and "Warg"
18 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#973
Tolkien invites the Swanns on the 20th December. The might be able to borrow the piano at a neighbor's house. He writes about melody. It is held at the ...
28 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#953
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
15 December 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#954
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
1967
1967-68
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#1095
This letter, as #TCGLetter784 is publishing in part in Vinyar Tengwar 6. More to follow on the contents. It is held at the Marquette archives in the for...
2 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Otto B. Lindhardt
#795
Tolkien states that his efforts to help translators, or in reading their efforts, has made it clear that the nomenclature of people and places is diffic...
2 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar
#933
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
5 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#901
Tolkien writes thanking Kilby for an article on Barzun and for sending a turkey.
1 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar
#934
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
8 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to David L. Sands
#796
Tolkien writes to express his approval for the proposed Spanish translation of his works, referring the recipient to contact Allen & Unwin. A photocopy ...
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 ...
21 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#975
Tolkien sends background material for The Road Goes Ever On. He includes Galadriel's Lament and Chant written out "in a fair Elvish book-hand, rubricate...
22 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#976
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann offering transcripts of the Lament and Chant in Elvish script. This letter is held at the Wade.
29 March 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss M. Felver
#898
Tolkien replies with graitutude for Felver's letter to him. He appreciates fans buying his books, eventually putting some small amount of money in his p...
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...
9 May 1967
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr [Oscar] Morland
#753
Tolkien writes to British ambassador Oscar Morland thanking him for his typed indexes, and that he will find them very useful when he has time to work o...
14 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sister M. Anne
#1163
Replying to a letter from Sister Anne from St. Louis, Tolkien says he has no intention to write a sequel to The Lord of the Rings.
19 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#978
Tolkien thanks Swann for the book cover and compares the "t" rendered there to various occurrences from genuine manuscripts. It is held at the Wade.
21 June 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar
#935
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
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...
?Late Summer 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. kilby
#1534
In his letter of late November, Tolkien says that he had begun a letter "some time ago", but this had never been finished and remained unsent. Tolkien i...
4 August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar
#936
No details of this letter are known but Huttar had visited Tolkien on this day (see reference below). The letter is held at the Wade.
9 August 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Charles Huttar
#937
No details are known about this letter. It is held at the Wade.
11 September 1967
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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
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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...
30 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Tolkien to Donald Swann
#980
Tolkien apologizes for his delay in replying, due to poor health, and he asks Swann and his wife to visit in January. Tolkien says that "doing nothing a...
1968
7 January 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#904
Tolkien writes to Kilby with thanks for the turkey and mentions that he recently visited Ready. He is not happy that Ready is writing a book on him, as ...
29 January 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Nan C. Scott
#955
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
12 February 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#981
Tolkien hopes to see Swann on the 14th, but cannot attend a performance of The Road Goes Ever On on the 15th. This letter is held at the Wade.
1 March 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Evelyn B. Byrne
#794
Tolkien was asked to write about his teenage memories and, along with 69 other contributors, this was published in the book Attacks of Taste, compiled a...
8 April 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Dick Plotz
#803
Tolkien wrote to the President of the Tolkien Society (of America - Dick Plotz) to express his displeasure at the forthcoming publication The Tolkien Re...
15 April 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#905
Tolkien writes to Kilby and mentions the book A Mind Awake: An Anothology of C. S. Lewis. He says that it reminded him of good things spread throughout ...
9 May 1968
Phyllis Jenkinson to George Burke Johnston
#940
Tolkien's secretary acknowledges receipt of Johnston's booklet The Poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien. This letter is held at the Wade.
24 May 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Burke Johnston
#804
Tolkien replies to a letter from Johnston. He had sent Tolkien a copy of his booklet The Poetry of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien thanks him and says that when...
24 May 1968
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn
#689
Mary Fairburn has sent some of her illustrations for The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien really likes them and thinks they could be in an illustrated version...
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...
2 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard
#805
Tolkien complains about how the movers took advantage of Edith's health and did a bad job, for example putting furniture in the wrong rooms. Tolkien him...
9 August 1968?
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard
#931
No details of this letter are known. It is held at the Wade.
15 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jared C. Lobdell
#1096
No details of this letter are currently known. It is held at the Marquette archives along with a complete transcript.
1969
3 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Bridget MacKenzie
#1130
Tolkien writes to the eldest daughter of Ida and E. V. Gordon. He has sent an autograph to friends of Bridget as requested, and mentions that he has mov...
28 August 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#918
Tolkien writes with remarks about Pauline Baynes' Middle-earth poster, mentioning that he thinks the only error on the printed map is Enedwaith for Ened...
1 October 1969
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Pauline Baynes
#919
Tolkien writing to Pauline Baynes returns a photocopy of the Middle-earth map, with comments. The spelling Enedwaith is correct. He also apologizes for ...
1970
Summer or Autumn 1970
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Wood
#278
Tolkien writes to Mr Wood and sends three copies of his signature on cards, stating that he should keep one for himself.
8 June 1970
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2079
Joy Hill writes to filmmaker John Boorman at Tolkien's request. Tolkien is sorry that Boorman has been ill, and hopes that Boorman will be able to visit...
15 June 1970
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John Boorman to Joy Hill
#2074
John Boorman writes to Tolkien's secretary, apologizing for not being able to meet in person with Professor Tolkien and their mutual friend Father Magui...
15 June 1970
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John Boorman to John Maguire
#2082
John Boorman writes to his friend, the Reverend John Maguire of the Reading University Catholic Chaplaincy, who knows Tolkien. The three men had been pl...
19 June 1970
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2084
Joy Hill has read Boorman's letter to Tolkien over the phone, and Tolkien hopes Boorman is now feeling better and looks forward to meeting him. He will ...
25 June 1970
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John Boorman to Joy Hill
#2075
Boorman thanks Joy Hill for writing , and offers to come visit her in the George Allen & Unwin offices on the 13th of July. He would love to talk to her...
25 June 1970
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John Boorman to John Maguire
#2083
Boorman writes to Father Maguire. Boorman has arranged to meet up with Tolkien in August, sadly when Maguire is out of town. Boorman will let him know h...
28 July 1970
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John Boorman to Joy Hill
#2076
Boorman apologizes for not being able to meet with Joy Hill during his visit to London. He was too busy dealing with United Artists and the launch of hi...
31 July 1970
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2085
Joy Hill writes to confirm scheduling just discussed in a phone call. Boorman will meet with Rayner Unwin on Monday 17th August, and Tolkien in Bournemo...
14 August 1970
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John Boorman to Joy Hill
#2073
Boorman writes to Tolkien's secretary (in her role as Press Officer for George Allen & Unwin), saying that he had hoped United Artists would have greenl...
17 August 1970
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2080
Joy Hill thanks Boorman for letting her know that United Artists haven't greenlit the film yet. She looks forward to hearing when the project is ready, ...
11 September 1970
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#279
Carpenter #316
Tolkien discusses an O.E.D. dictionary definition of Hobbit.
1971
8 February 1971
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2078
Joy Hill writes to filmmaker John Boorman, saying she had tried to call him on the phone but he had evidently already left the country. She is hoping to...
29 March 1971
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2086
Joy Hill has recently heard from an American publisher (either Ballantine or Houghton Mifflin) that the film is moving forward, and asks for an update f...
23 April 1971
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John Boorman to Joy Hill
#2077
Boorman is about to begin filming of "Deliverance", and hopes to be able to have news about The Lord of the Rings film in late July. It still isn't fina...
17 May 1971
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Joy Hill to John Boorman
#2081
Joy Hill thanks Boorman for writing , and looks forward to hearing from him again when he returns near the end of July.
1972
1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to ? Braun
#1659
Noted only as "Letter to a member of the Braun family, 1972. MS. Braun 158, folder 2 (38). Braun archive given to the library in tranches, 2010-2017." t...
2 February 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ed Meskys
#829
The contents of this letter have not been verified. According to the catalog entry at Marquette, Tolkien wrote to Meskys "explaining the use of numeric ...
8 June 1972
Public Orator to Oxford University
#1099
From Marquette: "Speech by the Public Orator," speech given at the presentation of an honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters to J. R. R. Tolkien by Oxford...
11 June 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Burchfield
#310
Tolkien writes to Robert Burchfield profusely apologising about not returning one of Robert's books, Kentish Place-names by J.K. Wallenberg.
30 June 1972 (published 4 July)
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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 ...
27 July 1972
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Help the Aged Housing Association (Tolkien's Desk)
#833
Tolkien's desk where he wrote parts of The Lord of the Rings and entirety of The Hobbit, so said by Tolkien himself. A photocopy of the letter with a co...
21 November 1972
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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 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.
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
18 January 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald and Janet Swann
#982
No details of this letter to Donald Swann and his wife Janet are known but the Swann's would visit Tolkien and his daughter Priscilla in late January or...
24 January 1973
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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...
9 February 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Sterling Lanier
#837
In an update to his letter of 24 January Tolkien confirms that he has asked for GA&U to help clear up the matter of the copyright situation and thanks L...
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 July 1973
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J.R.R. Tolkien to Canon Norman S. Power
#843
Tolkien sends Canon Power a signature with a copy of a publication. He mentions his childhood, growing up in Birmingham, and J. H. Shorthouse's book Joh...
1977
April 21, 1977
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Clyde S. Kilby to Mr. Faxon
#1363
Kilby, curator of the Wade Center archives, responds to a query about his book Tolkien and the Silmarillion, offering to have the College Bookstore mail...
1985
26 June 1985
Roy Gainsburg to Nan C. Scott
#956
No details are currently known from this letter. It is held at the Wade.
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