Letters 
Letter Tags
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This undated letter from Tolkien to his wife Edith mentions their first kiss.
Tolkien writes to Edith on Easter Sunday, with permission from Father Francis, and includes a poem. From Chronology: "He encloses two devotional pamphle...
Edith replies to Tolkiens letter of January 3rd telling him she is engaged to a George Field, the brother of a school friend. She had accepted this prop...
This letter from Tolkien was began at midnight on his 21st birthday. He writes that his love for Edith remains and that he wants to marry her. He was no...
Tolkien replies to Edith's letter and they arrange to meet on 8 January. This letter, although not dated, was written shortly after Tolkien's letter at ...
Tolkien writes to Edith, making mention of the amount of kisses she will owe him for the work he does each week.
Tolkien, now reunited with Edith, writes that he will focus more on his studies.
Tolkien writes to Edith, saying he is very tempted to slacking off.
Writing to Edith, Tolkien says that she is a figure he is waiting for and says he would recognise her even in twilight.
Tolkien has marked his place on this postcard, showing where he sits for meals at Exeter College. He attended Holy Communion in the morning and is due t...
Upon his return to Oxford, Tolkien writes a letter to Edith who he had visited in Warwick before he visited Birmingham.
Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien informs his T.C.B.S. friends" of his engagement to Edith, though he does not give any details of...
Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien informs his T.C.B.S. friends" of his engagement to Edith, though he does not give any details of...
Wiseman sends Tolkien a postcard congratulating him on his engagement, but is worried that this will pull Tolkien away from the T.C.B.S.
Writing to Tolkien to offer his congratulations, Rob Gilson also asks Tolkien to attend a meeting of the T.C.B.S. next week. Tolkien would not attend th...
Writing to Edith, Tolkien remarks that the life they can look forward to will be made all the more joyful given they are both orphans.
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
Tolkien looks forward to seeing Edith in three days. Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Ora...
Writing to Edith on the first day of Michaelmas Full Term, Tolkien describes the situation at Oxford. His college is empty and the Examinations School h...
Writing to Edith, Tolkien mentions that Oxford is a place of gloom.
Tolkien opens by saying he has to write after reading Edith's letter again. He describes various things he has been doing in the military, school and ch...
Tolkien describes his evening manoeuvres with the cadets to Edith in this letter. The cadets fall in near the Bodleian Library. Tolkien describes the we...
Christopher Wiseman replies to a postcard from Tolkien (date currently unknown) and suggests he and Edith join him in London at their family home in Aug...
Edith writes to Tolkien saying that 'A Song of Aryador' is her favourite poem. She wonders how h can write at camp.
Rob Gilson writes saying that he had last heard from Tolkien was the letter shown him by G.B. Smith in London and he hopes that both he and Edith were f...
Tolkien writes to Rob Gilson informing him that he and Edith's have set a date to marry, it will be on 22 March in Warwick.
Tolkien writes to Smith with news of his and Edith's wedding day which will take place on 22 March in Warwick. He also notes that he has sent his book o...
G.B. Smith writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, he talks about what friendship with the other T.C.B.S. means to him. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull not...
Tolkien writes to Edith, commenting that he wants to return England to Roman Catholicism.
Tolkien writes to Father Francis Morgan giving him the news that he and Edith will marry on 22 March in Warwick. He had not mentioned this fact when he ...
Father Francis replies to Tolkien's letter congratulating him and Edith of their upcoming wedding. He says he should like to do the ceremony himself at ...
Rob Gilson writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, offering his best wishes, prayers, and blessings for his and Edith's impending marriage.
Tolkien's brother Hilary writes to him with news from his own part of the war effort in France. He mentions that in the England they have had terrible w...
Christopher writes Tolkien a long letter, said by Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull to be a "long letter written in stages" from 14, 17, 26 March and 16...
Tolkien writes to Wiseman saying that Edith is now with him at Harrogate.
From 25 July, Edith writes to Tolkien from 1 Blenheim, Parade, Pittsville. No details are known of how many letters but we can be fairly certain that sh...
Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
Tolkien sends Christopher some money, and reminds him that it is important to remember birthdays, especially his mother’s. Tolkien then goes on to rem...
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathizes wi...
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attended church ...
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" Tolkien notes that he was tryi...
Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
Tolkien continues to talk about the movie he and Edith saw remarking that his “mind and heart” are still thinking of it. He says that it has the qua...
Tolkien says that he is still “under the influence” of the movie he and Edith saw a week ago and continues to talk about religion, God, and other as...
Tolkien says that Edith is much happier but for the terrible noise in the street. He says that they will move into the room he currently uses as an offi...
Tolkien writes to wish Michael a happy birthday for tomorrow. He is busy with work but offers his prayers and love to his son. He also mentions the arri...
Tolkien notes how it has been some time since he wrote, he has been meaning to but has been getting his affairs in order with his house move. He says th...
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...
Tolkien settles some confusion regarding an order of Courvoisier and gives some family news. He asks for her opinion of 'Le Hobbit'. He doesn't like the...
Tolkien writes to William Cater about the death of his wife, "Edith Tolkien" and his utter bereavement. In the 2023 revised edition of Letters, a brief ...
Priscilla Tolkien informs Dorothy Wood that her mother, Edith, has passed away, to which Tolkien adds a post script.
Priscilla writes to her mother's friend, Mollie Cowling, in Melbourne, Australia, with news of her mother's death, funeral and burial in Wolvercote Ceme...
Tolkien is desolated by the death of Edith, and wonders if he shall ever write any more. He mentions his work with Simonne d'Ardenne and says it is ok t...
Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&U's headquarters.
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Edith
(60 letters match)1910
'long after' the summer of 1909
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#991
This undated letter from Tolkien to his wife Edith mentions their first kiss.
26 March 1910
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#993
Tolkien writes to Edith on Easter Sunday, with permission from Father Francis, and includes a poem. From Chronology: "He encloses two devotional pamphle...
1913
January 1913 (after 3 January but no later than 7 January)
Edith Bratt to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1133
Edith replies to Tolkiens letter of January 3rd telling him she is engaged to a George Field, the brother of a school friend. She had accepted this prop...
3 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#44
This letter from Tolkien was began at midnight on his 21st birthday. He writes that his love for Edith remains and that he wants to marry her. He was no...
January 1913 (after 3 January but no later than 7 January)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Tolkien
#1134
Tolkien replies to Edith's letter and they arrange to meet on 8 January. This letter, although not dated, was written shortly after Tolkien's letter at ...
15 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#998
Tolkien writes to Edith, making mention of the amount of kisses she will owe him for the work he does each week.
17 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#999
Tolkien, now reunited with Edith, writes that he will focus more on his studies.
24 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1000
Tolkien writes to Edith, saying he is very tempted to slacking off.
26 January 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1135
Writing to Edith, Tolkien says that she is a figure he is waiting for and says he would recognise her even in twilight.
1 February 1913
🖼
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#45
Tolkien has marked his place on this postcard, showing where he sits for meals at Exeter College. He attended Holy Communion in the morning and is due t...
10 October 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1152
Upon his return to Oxford, Tolkien writes a letter to Edith who he had visited in Warwick before he visited Birmingham.
?17 - ?19 December 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman
#1184
Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien informs his T.C.B.S. friends" of his engagement to Edith, though he does not give any details of...
?17 - ?19 December 1913
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson
#1185
Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull note that "Tolkien informs his T.C.B.S. friends" of his engagement to Edith, though he does not give any details of...
20 December 1913
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1117
Wiseman sends Tolkien a postcard congratulating him on his engagement, but is worried that this will pull Tolkien away from the T.C.B.S.
1914
4 January 1914
Rob Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1183
Writing to Tolkien to offer his congratulations, Rob Gilson also asks Tolkien to attend a meeting of the T.C.B.S. next week. Tolkien would not attend th...
14 January 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1186
Writing to Edith, Tolkien remarks that the life they can look forward to will be made all the more joyful given they are both orphans.
5 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1189
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
8 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1119
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
11 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1190
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
14 August 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1191
Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Oratory. The two were visiting the Lizard Peninsula from...
August 16 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1120
Tolkien looks forward to seeing Edith in three days. Tolkien writes to Edith about his hikes in Cornwall with Father Vincent Reade of the Birmingham Ora...
11 October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1194
Writing to Edith on the first day of Michaelmas Full Term, Tolkien describes the situation at Oxford. His college is empty and the Examinations School h...
13 October 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1195
Writing to Edith, Tolkien mentions that Oxford is a place of gloom.
29 November 1914
🖼
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#141
Tolkien opens by saying he has to write after reading Edith's letter again. He describes various things he has been doing in the military, school and ch...
29 November 1914
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1199
Tolkien describes his evening manoeuvres with the cadets to Edith in this letter. The cadets fall in near the Bodleian Library. Tolkien describes the we...
1915
26 July 1915
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1280
Christopher Wiseman replies to a postcard from Tolkien (date currently unknown) and suggests he and Edith join him in London at their family home in Aug...
14 September 1915
Edith Bratt to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1283
Edith writes to Tolkien saying that 'A Song of Aryador' is her favourite poem. She wonders how h can write at camp.
21 November 1915
Rob Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1298
Rob Gilson writes saying that he had last heard from Tolkien was the letter shown him by G.B. Smith in London and he hopes that both he and Edith were f...
1916
26 January 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rob Gilson
#1311
Tolkien writes to Rob Gilson informing him that he and Edith's have set a date to marry, it will be on 22 March in Warwick.
26 January 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to G.B. Smith
#1317
Tolkien writes to Smith with news of his and Edith's wedding day which will take place on 22 March in Warwick. He also notes that he has sent his book o...
9 February 1916
G.B. Smith to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1316
G.B. Smith writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, he talks about what friendship with the other T.C.B.S. means to him. Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull not...
12 February 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Edith Bratt
#1318
Tolkien writes to Edith, commenting that he wants to return England to Roman Catholicism.
c. 8 March 1916
J.R.R. Tolkien to Father Francis Morgan
#1312
Tolkien writes to Father Francis Morgan giving him the news that he and Edith will marry on 22 March in Warwick. He had not mentioned this fact when he ...
c. 8-12 March 1916
Father Francis Morgan to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1313
Father Francis replies to Tolkien's letter congratulating him and Edith of their upcoming wedding. He says he should like to do the ceremony himself at ...
9 March 1916
Rob Gilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1323
Rob Gilson writes to Tolkien at Brocton Camp, offering his best wishes, prayers, and blessings for his and Edith's impending marriage.
7 April 1916
🖼
🖼
Hilary Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1877
Tolkien's brother Hilary writes to him with news from his own part of the war effort in France. He mentions that in the England they have had terrible w...
16 April 1916
Christopher Wiseman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1325
Christopher writes Tolkien a long letter, said by Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull to be a "long letter written in stages" from 14, 17, 26 March and 16...
1917
c. March 1917 (no later than the morning of 4 March)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Wiseman
#1584
Tolkien writes to Wiseman saying that Edith is now with him at Harrogate.
1918
c. 25 July 1918
Edith Tolkien to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1599
From 25 July, Edith writes to Tolkien from 1 Blenheim, Parade, Pittsville. No details are known of how many letters but we can be fairly certain that sh...
1937
2 October 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1373
Carpenter #15b
Writing to his son Christopher, Tolkien says how delighted he is to have received his letter, although he doesn't expect them. He, Edith, and Priscilla ...
1941
26 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1379
Carpenter #42a
Tolkien sends Christopher some money, and reminds him that it is important to remember birthdays, especially his mother’s. Tolkien then goes on to rem...
1944
6 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#100
Carpenter #66
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathizes wi...
11 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#101
Carpenter #67
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attended church ...
31 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#143
Carpenter #72
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" Tolkien notes that he was tryi...
1945
7 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1404
Carpenter #94a
Tolkien says he is struggling with letters, many of which he should have written at Christmas. He complains that the weather is bitterly cold and he can...
9 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1405
Carpenter #94b
Tolkien continues to talk about the movie he and Edith saw remarking that his “mind and heart” are still thinking of it. He says that it has the qua...
15 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1406
Carpenter #94c
Tolkien says that he is still “under the influence” of the movie he and Edith saw a week ago and continues to talk about religion, God, and other as...
1952
23 March 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Tolkien
#1417
Carpenter #132a
Tolkien says that Edith is much happier but for the terrible noise in the street. He says that they will move into the room he currently uses as an offi...
21 October 1952
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1418
Carpenter #134a
Tolkien writes to wish Michael a happy birthday for tomorrow. He is busy with work but offers his prayers and love to his son. He also mentions the arri...
1953
11 March 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Norman Davis
#1422
Carpenter #135d
Tolkien notes how it has been some time since he wrote, he has been meaning to but has been getting his affairs in order with his house move. He says th...
1968
29 December 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1501
Carpenter #307a
Writing to son Michael, Tolkien says he hopes he is doing better and has recovered from overwork. He says that he and Edith spent Christmas with daughte...
1969
20 March 1969
🖼
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#459
Tolkien settles some confusion regarding an order of Courvoisier and gives some family news. He asks for her opinion of 'Le Hobbit'. He doesn't like the...
1971
29 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Cater
#425
Carpenter #331
Tolkien writes to William Cater about the death of his wife, "Edith Tolkien" and his utter bereavement. In the 2023 revised edition of Letters, a brief ...
30 November 1971
Priscilla Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood
#444
Priscilla Tolkien informs Dorothy Wood that her mother, Edith, has passed away, to which Tolkien adds a post script.
1 December 1971
🖼
🖼
Priscilla Tolkien to Mrs Cowling
#1714
Priscilla writes to her mother's friend, Mollie Cowling, in Melbourne, Australia, with news of her mother's death, funeral and burial in Wolvercote Ceme...
24 December 1971
🖼
🖼
J.R.R. Tolkien to Eileen Elgar
#825
Tolkien is desolated by the death of Edith, and wonders if he shall ever write any more. He mentions his work with Simonne d'Ardenne and says it is ok t...
1972
11 July 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#433
Carpenter #340
Tolkien writes to Christopher about Edith, her headstone, his thoughts of her as Lúthien and a visit to GA&U's headquarters.
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