1939

8 September 1939

Phillip Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2181

Writing to Tolkien on the matter of the Clark Hall Beowulf, Philip Unwin asks Tolkien's opinion on the likely demand for the volume in current times (th...

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...

October 1939

War Office to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2182

Tolkien is informed by the War Office that for the present he will not be called to work as a cryptographer. Hammond/Scull note that he will in fact not...

1940

12 July 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien

#1377

 Carpenter #38a

Tolkien replies to a letter from his son Michael where he had evidently spoken about his feelings about events of the world, studies, etc. Tolkien is re...

29 September 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien

#54

 Carpenter #39

Tolkien describes the departure of evacuees, railway workers and their families, who had sought refuge during wartime. Tolkien observes the scenes with ...

6 October 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien

#55

 Carpenter #40

Tolkien's son Michael had volunteered in the army, and Tolkien expresses his deep regret about the disruption to his university education due to militar...

20 October 1940

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#1378

 Carpenter #40a

Tolkien hopes that Christopher has not had air raids recently. He notes that he is very lonely without him close to home. Tolkien has been busy with ter...

17 November 1940

Florence Hadley to Hilary Tolkien

#1894

Hilary's Aunt Florence, who lives in Victoria BC, Canada, writes offering sympathies for the current situation in Europe. Letters are taking between thr...

1943

28 July 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#1383

 Carpenter #49a

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

8 September 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#1385

 Carpenter #49c

Christopher had apparently been having a bad week, and Tolkien writes with his sympathies. He says to not spend “precious time” on letter writing, t...

19 September 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#1387

 Carpenter #49e

Tolkien asks how Christopher has been getting on with flight training, he says that he has been very busy with letters and chores, but did manage to hea...

19 October 1943

Florence Hadley to Hilary Tolkien

#1895

Hilary's Aunt Florence writes from Victoria BC, Canada to wish them all well for the Christmas period. She talks on world events, and notes her regret t...

3 November 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#1388

 Carpenter #51a

Tolkien had not managed to send Christopher his pipe yesterday, and sends it on to him with this letter. He and Edith received a long letter and were ha...

15 December 1943

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#1390

 Carpenter #53a

Tolkien writes to Christopher after hearing from his brother Michael that Christopher had been unwell again. Tolkien updates him on home life, with Edit...

Late December 1943

Simonne d'Ardenne (via the International Red Cross) to J.R.R. Tolkien

#2399

Tolkien receives a message via the International Red Cross from Simonne d'Erdenne. At that time, beginning in April 1942, Nazi Germany refused to relay ...

1944

25 May 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#142

 Carpenter #71

Tolkien expresses gratitude for the letters he has received from Christopher and briefly mentions an inclination to envy his time in the hills. Tolkien ...

31 July 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#166

 Carpenter #77

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

12 August 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#167

 Carpenter #78

Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters, encouraging openness about details of his life. He offers support for navigating challenges and express the n...

22 August 1944

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#168

 Carpenter #79

Tolkien reflects on the cultural landscape, comparing Kroonstad, seen as a genuine product of their culture, with Jo'burg's aspirations. He expresses co...

1945

29 May 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#225

 Carpenter #100

Tolkien remarks that he would be comforted if Christopher could be re-commissioned out of the R.A.F. Christopher had recently returned from service. He ...

9 August 1945

J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

#248

 Carpenter #102

Tolkien expresses profound horror and disbelief at the news of atomic bombs, describing the scientists involved as "lunatic physicists" and condemning t...

1960

31 December 1960

J.R.R. Tolkien to L.W. Forster

#602

 Carpenter #226

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