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1937

Late 1930s Tolkien writes the first version of an essay, *The Feanorian Alphabet. He will revise this in the early to mid-1940s.

c. 1937–41 Tolkien writes a sentence in Quenya, with an English translation, related to his mythology, telling of Oromë and the Waters of Awakening (*‘The Koivienéni Manuscript’).

1937 Tolkien revises his poem Kortirion among the Trees (first composed in November 1915).

4 January 1937 Tolkien writes to Susan Dagnall, enclosing six pictures. He has redrawn Thror’s Map and Wilderland and has decided that the other three maps are not necessary. He has also redrawn ‘one or two of the amateur illustrations of the “home manuscript” [of The Hobbit, presumably the master typescript], conceiving that they might serve as endpapers, frontispiece or what not’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). These are Mirkwood, The Elvenking’s Gate, Lake Town, and The Front Gate (Artist and Illustrator, figs. 88, 121, 127, 130; Art of The Hobbit, figs. 47, 58, 66, 68). He intends Mirkwood to be used as the front endpaper. The final Elvenking’s Gate has evolved through a series of drawings made from various perspectives, and has inspired (probably at the same time) a similar view of Nargothrond (Artist and Illustrator, fig. 57; Art of The Hobbit, fig. 55). Lake Town is based on an earlier drawing, Esgaroth (Artist and Illustrator, fig. 126; Art of The Hobbit, fig. 65).

7 January 1937 Tolkien returns a ‘slip’ to Allen & Unwin, probably a proof of the publicity paragraph he has written about The Hobbit. He has made some corrections. – C.A. Furth of the Allen & Unwin production department writes to Tolkien. The publishers think that his line drawings for The Hobbit are admirable, and are having reproduction blocks made. Mirkwood, shaded with ink wash, ‘will present a little difficulty in reproduction – unless it were to be printed separately on glossy paper, which we think would be disturbing’, and since (except for The Front Gate) the drawings are horizontal, they will have to be turned parallel with the spine of the book (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). Allen & Unwin will try a cunning method to deal with the ‘moon-letters’ on Thror’s Map (probably they mean to print the runes in a grey tone). Furth asks Tolkien where the interior illustrations should be placed in the book. In regard to Mr. Bliss, the manuscript of which Furth is returning, Allen & Unwin would like to publish it but are concerned about the cost of printing. Furth asks Tolkien to redraw his lavishly coloured pictures in only three colours and black, to make them easier and cheaper to reproduce. He is willing to call on Tolkien in Oxford to explain better what is needed. He also discusses the calligraphy or type that might be used in place of Tolkien’s original lettering. – Rayner Unwin enthusiastically reports on Farmer Giles of Ham and Roverandom. He thinks that both books need illustrations, and suggests that they might be published together.

14 January 1937 Tolkien visits the British Museum in London, perhaps to do research in its manuscript or book collections. He also calls on George Allen & Unwin in nearby Museum Street, hoping to discuss The Hobbit, but C.A. Furth and Susan Dagnall are not in the office due to illness.

17 January 1937 Hilary Full Term begins. Tolkien’s scheduled lectures and classes for this term are: The Elder Edda on Tuesdays at 12.00 noon in the Examination Schools, beginning 19 January; The Vespasian Hymns: Grammar and Phonology on Thursdays at 11.00 a.m. in the Examination Schools, beginning 21 January; Fundamental Problems of Old English Phonology on Thursdays at 12.00 noon in the Examination Schools, beginning 21 January; and Old English Verse Texts (Class), at an hour and place to be arranged. Tolkien is also listed as one of a series of lecturers (with Nevill Coghill, H.V.D. Dyson, C.S. Lewis, and C.L. Wrenn) on Hamlet, Fridays at 5.00 p.m. in the Examination Schools, beginning 22 January. – Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He is endeavouring to earn a grant for ‘research’ in addition to his ordinary duties, but might find odd moments to redraw Mr. Bliss, especially as he is free from the burden of examining for two years. He would welcome Furth’s advice. He did not imagine that Mr. Bliss was worth so much trouble. ‘The pictures seem to me mostly only to prove that the author cannot draw’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). Regarding The Hobbit, he had not intended Thror’s Map to be used as an endpaper. He discusses the placement of Wilderland and of the four drawings (other than maps) he sent on 4 January. He now sends six more, probably drawn after his earlier drawings were accepted: The Hill: Hobbiton across the Water, The Trolls, The Mountain-path, The Misty Mountains Looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate, Beorn’s Hall, and The Hall at Bag-End, Residence of B. Baggins Esquire (Artist and Illustrator, figs. 97, 102, 109, 111, 116, 139; Art of The Hobbit, figs. 10, 16, 34, 38, 44, 90). The final pen and ink version of The Hill has evolved through several sketches and drawings. For The Trolls Tolkien has abandoned an earlier drawing, Trolls’ Hill (Artist and Illustrator, fig. 99; Art of The Hobbit, fig. 13) and an intermediate illustration, The Three Trolls Are Turned to Stone (Artist and Illustrator, fig. 100; Art of The Hobbit, fig. 15), instead adapting a picture by Jennie Harbour for a retelling of ‘Hansel and Gretel’. The Misty Mountains Looking West has been redrawn from a similar version (Artist and Illustrator, fig. 110; Art of The Hobbit, fig. 37). Beorn’s Hall is adapted from an earlier picture by Tolkien, Firelight in Beorn’s House, which had been inspired by a drawing of a Norse hall in a book by E.V. Gordon (Artist and Illustrator, figs. 115, 114; Art of The Hobbit, figs. 44, 41).

22 January 1937 In the evening, Tolkien attends a dinner of The Society hosted by Michael Holroyd in the new Common Rooms at Brasenose College, Oxford. Twelve members are present. Holroyd speaks about careers for undergraduates, referring to the declining birth rate and the experience of foreign universities.

23 January 1937 Susan Dagnall asks Tolkien if he could see her and C.A. Furth in Oxford on either Saturday or Sunday, 13 or 14 February, to discuss the problem of illustrations for Mr. Bliss. Allen & Unwin can include at least four of the six additional Hobbit drawings without increasing the price of the book, and perhaps will use a fifth on the dust-jacket. (In the event, all will be printed in the book.) She asks Tolkien to send them again the original drawing of Thror’s Map, as the blockmaker omitted the ‘moon-letters’. Fresh blocks will have to be made, but the map will be folded and tipped in at the point Tolkien wants. – Tolkien replies to Susan Dagnall that he will keep 13 and 14 February open, but the afternoons or evenings are best for him to receive visitors. He sends Allen & Unwin the original of Thror’s Map, hoping that they can print the runes on the back as intended. He has drawn a copy of the runes in mirror-reverse, so that if viewed through the sheet when held up to the light, they will read the right way around. He returns proofs of the earlier illustrations he has been sent and notes defects in the reproductions of Mirkwood and Wilderland. Elaine Griffiths has been appointed to a position in the Society of Oxford Home-Students from next term, but Tolkien hopes that they will both finish their work on the Clark Hall Beowulf before the present term ends.

1 February 1937 Susan Dagnall writes to Tolkien, to correct a misstatement in her letter of 23 January. Thror’s Map will have to be printed as an endpaper in The Hobbit after all for reasons of cost, but the runes will be printed so that they do not appear ‘so blatantly on the front’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). The defects Tolkien noted on the proofs of Mirkwood and Wilderland will be corrected. Dagnall sends rough proofs of the four drawings to be included in the book from the second group; Allen & Unwin still hope to squeeze in the remaining two at the ends of chapters.

2 February 1937 R.W. Chambers writes to Tolkien, urging him not to delete a single word from Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics when it is prepared for publication.

4 February 1937 Tolkien’s poem The Dragon’s Visit, one of the ‘Tales and Songs of Bimble Bay’, written probably c. 1928, is published in the Oxford Magazine for 4 February 1937.

5 February 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Board meeting. The minutes will record:

A Standing Order was made that no application for admission as a Probationer B.Litt. Student or Advanced Student should be considered by the Applications Committee unless the applicant had previously been in communication with a person or persons appointed by the Board to interview such candidates. The Board appointed Professor Nichol Smith and Professor Tolkien for this purpose. [Oxford University Archives FA 4/5/1/1]

– Tolkien writes to Susan Dagnall, confirming their appointment for 13 February. In regard to Thror’s Map, he relents: ‘Let the Production Dept. do as it will’. He approves the rough proofs of the four drawings, but marks two defects in the block for The Trolls. He comments that he should not have put in a wash shadow by the door in The Hall at Bag-End, which in the line-block has come out black, obscuring detail. He would have written sooner, but has had ‘three desperately crowded days’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins).

8 February 1937 Tolkien writes to R.W. Chambers. He sends information about A.L. Rowse which Chambers had requested, and tells him about the forthcoming publication of The Hobbit.

13 February 1937 Susan Dagnall visits Tolkien in Oxford at 3.00 p.m. See note.

18 February 1937 A revised version of Tolkien’s poem Knocking at the Door: Lines Induced by Sensations when Waiting for an Answer at the Door of an Exalted Academic Person (first composed in 1927) is published in the Oxford Magazine for 18 February 1937 as by ‘Oxymore’.

19 February 1937 Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting.

20 February 1937 Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting. – He receives from Allen & Unwin proofs of signatures A–H of The Hobbit.

21 February 1937 Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin. He has corrected the first proofs of The Hobbit but would like to keep them until he has the complete set, since he has noticed some minor discrepancies in the text, and between the text and the illustrations, though few printers’ errors. He wishes to learn when the rest of the proofs will arrive, and notes that he will deal with them quickly as he can correct a batch of about eight signatures within twenty-four hours of receipt. He notes that the defects he had pointed out in The Trolls still appear in proof, and supposes that it has not been possible to correct them.

24 February 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. The fine lines in The Trolls have broken when reduced, but there is no room to enlarge the illustration. They plan to meet on Saturday, 27 February, and can discuss the point further at that time. – Tolkien receives the rest of the Hobbit proofs. He is asked to replace unavoidable alterations and deletions with words taking up as nearly as possible the same amount of space. With these, or soon afterward, he is sent rough proofs of the remaining two drawings, which are to be included in The Hobbit.

27 February 1937 C.A. Furth visits Tolkien in Oxford. Tolkien will remark in his letter of ?10 March that he was a poor host, too concerned with his own troubles. Probably at this meeting Furth asks Tolkien to produce a design for the dust-jacket of The Hobbit.

March 1937 In the preface to his edition of The Battle of Maldon (1937) E.V. Gordon thanks Tolkien for reading proof and making ‘many corrections and contributions…. Professor Tolkien, with characteristic generosity, gave me the solution to many of the textual and philological problems discussed in the following pages’ (p. vi).

2 March 1937 The typescripts of Farmer Giles of Ham and Roverandom are returned to Tolkien by Allen & Unwin.

4 March 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Library Committee meeting. – A revised version of Tolkien’s poem Iumonna Gold Galdre Bewunden (first composed perhaps at the end of 1922) is published in the Oxford Magazine for 4 March 1937.

?10 March 1937 Tolkien returns to Allen & Unwin corrected proofs of The Hobbit with the two additional illustrations in position, as well as marked proofs of the two endpapers and the original drawing of Thror’s Map. He suggests that the endpapers would be best printed in black and red. In a letter to C.A. Furth he apologizes for sending them a week later than expected, but other matters suddenly became urgent, and also for the many alterations he has made. He realizes that he should have re-read The Hobbit before it went for typesetting. While proofreading he found considerable confusions of narrative and geography. He has had to alter about sixteen pages considerably, though he has tried as far as possible to ensure that the revisions occupy the same space as the text that was set. He thinks it advisable to see revised proofs of the most heavily altered sections. He asks if Allen & Unwin have decided when The Hobbit will be published; if at an early date, he will try to produce a dust-jacket design at once.

12 March 1937 Tolkien chairs a meeting of the English Faculty Board. C.S. Lewis asks that four representatives of the Board meet the joint committee of the English and Classical Associations to consider Greek and English studies. He, Tolkien, M.R. Ridley, and possibly C.T. Onions are willing to do so.

13 March 1937 Hilary Full Term ends.

23 March 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien, confirming that he certainly will be sent proofs of the most heavily corrected sections of The Hobbit, though the printers might prefer to reset the entire book. Tolkien’s corrections may exceed an author’s usual allowance. It is unfortunate that Allen & Unwin had not realized that the typescript ‘which Miss Dagnall persuaded you to send us was never really intended for printing without further revision’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). The same colours must be used on both endpapers (Tolkien would prefer Wilderland to appear in black and blue); he agrees with Tolkien that black and red would be best. The runes, indistinct in the proof (in a failed attempt to suggest ‘moonletters’), will be replaced with the more carefully drawn version Tolkien has returned to them, and will be printed in black rather than red and without a halftone effect. The book will be published when it is ready. Allen & Unwin hope that Tolkien will be able to design a dust-jacket for The Hobbit, but this is not urgent as he still has to see revised proofs.

30 March 1937 Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He hopes that revised proofs of The Hobbit will come to him during vacation, which ends on 24 April. He will try to produce a dust-jacket design for the book.

31 March 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien, belatedly returning a Hobbit drawing. The printers are revising the typesetting of the whole book. They hope to send Tolkien some of the revised proofs the weekend of 3–4 April, and all of the proofs by about 7 April.

7 April 1937 Oxford University Press sends Tolkien proofs of his essay Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.

13 April 1937 Revised proofs for The Hobbit apparently having arrived as promised, Tolkien now returns them together with proofs of the endpapers. He writes to Allen & Unwin, pointing out that he has altered eight words to correct narrative errors he missed before, and he has marked a few other corrections, some of errors made in the revised typesetting. He takes note of the cost of excess correction, and ‘must pay what is just, if required; though I shall naturally be grateful for clemency’ (Letters, p. 16). He passes the endpapers but regrets that Wilderland is not being printed in black and blue as he had wished. He wonders if both endpapers would not be better in black and blue, which would mean changing ‘red’ to ‘blue’ on p. 30 of the text; but on second thought he decides to accept red. He is sorry that it has proved impossible (as it seems) to substitute better drawn runes he has supplied for Thror’s Map. He thinks some of the illustrations badly placed, but is unable to judge how they will fall on the finished page. He sends a draft design for the dust-jacket, but foresees objections: it has too many colours (blue, green, red, black); it needs simplifying; the lettering could be improved. He explains the runic inscription in the border. He would be glad to hear as soon as possible if the design is of any use, as he has little time left before the beginning of term in which to make a new drawing.

15 April 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. The margins around the Hobbit illustrations will be adjusted before printing. He apologizes for not including Tolkien’s more careful drawing of the ‘moon-letters’ for Thror’s Map, and cannot understand how this happened. He thinks the dust-jacket design ‘admirable’, but suggests that the red colouring be omitted, which would improve the clarity of the title and remove a ‘flush on the central mountain, which makes it look to our eyes just a trifle like a cake’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He suggests that the runes in the border should be against a green background. He returns Tolkien’s original art for redrawing, and to ensure a jacket of correct proportions he will send Tolkien a dummy of the book.

15–?17 April 1937 Tolkien takes a walking holiday in the *Quantock Hills in Somerset with C.S. Lewis and Owen Barfield. He finds it hard going to walk more than twenty miles a day in rough country while carrying a pack.

25 April 1937 Trinity Full Term begins. Tolkien’s scheduled lectures and classes for this term are: Outlines of Old English Phonology and Grammar on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.00 noon in the Examination Schools, beginning 27 April; and Old English Verse Texts (Class), at an hour and place to be arranged. – Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He has redrawn the Hobbit dust-jacket, but does not think it much improved. It is now the exact size of the book. Tolkien has omitted the ‘offending pink icing on the mountainous cake’ (which his children like) but has left the sun and dragon red; if effect alone is considered rather than cost, he thinks red ‘very desirable’ and suggests other places on the jacket where it might be applied. The rest of the design is now in blue, black, and green; but it would be improved also by using a second, dark shade of green here and there. He leaves such questions, however, for Furth to decide. ‘The design is probably too complicated already.’ He is returning separately the dummy, with the (now tattered) paper model of the jacket, and a brown paper model of the same size as the enclosed design. He worries in a long postscript that he has drawn the jacket too wide, with too much space allowed for the back and hinges. If it is wrong ‘I cannot do anything more about it, as term is now in full blast’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins).

28 April 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. The red colour on the dust-jacket will have to be omitted. The sun on the upper jacket will be distinguished by an outline. ‘Otherwise everything seems straightforward and we are proceeding with the reproduction’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins).

30 April 1937 Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting. – In the evening, Tolkien attends a dinner of The Society hosted by G.F. Hudson in the hall of All Souls College, Oxford. Seventeen members are present. Hudson speaks about the entertainment of foreign visitors.

6 May 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Library Committee meeting.

11 May 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. An American publisher is interested in The Hobbit, wants to add four colour illustrations to the book, and have suggested employing a good American artist. ‘It occurred to us, however, that it would be better if all the illustrations were from your hand’, and Furth recalls (presumably from his visit of 27 February) having seen some pictures that Tolkien has tucked away in a drawer (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He asks if Tolkien could send five or six of them, which Allen & Unwin will forward to the American publisher.

12 May 1937 Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. There are no lectures or classes at Oxford. The Vice-Chancellor, Proctors, and graduates, in academic dress, assemble at 9.40 a.m. in the Divinity School and process to a special service in the Church of St Mary the Virgin.

13 May 1937 Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He asks the name of the American publisher interested in The Hobbit. ‘As for the illustrations: I am divided between knowledge of my own inability and fear of what American artists (doubtless of admirable skill) might produce. In any case I agree that all the illustrations ought to be by the same hand: four professional pictures would make my own amateurish productions look rather silly.’ He does have some pictures, but they illustrate ‘The Silmarillion’. He would have to draw new ones for the American Hobbit. He will try to do so, but does not have much time in the middle of term, and it might be some time before he can produce anything. ‘Perhaps the matter does not allow of much delay? It might be advisable, rather than lose the American interest, to let the Americans do what seems good to them – as long as it was possible (I should like to add) to veto anything from or influenced by the *Disney studios (for all whose works I have a heartfelt loathing). I have seen American illustrations that suggest that excellent things might be produced – only too excellent for their companions’ (Letters, p. 17). He asks how much time he would have to produce samples for the Americans; and again, when the English edition of The Hobbit is to be published.

14 May 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Board meeting. – C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. The American publisher interested in The Hobbit is the Houghton Mifflin Company. Allen & Unwin will probably publish the book themselves in October 1937. They have no information yet as to when the American edition will be published, so there might be time for Tolkien to make coloured drawings to submit to them. Furth thinks that it would be best to forward Tolkien’s letter to Houghton Mifflin, so that they will know his mind, and that he might be able to send them some (finished) drawings by the end of June. He will ask them to cable if they cannot wait so long. Allen & Unwin have already suggested that if Houghton Mifflin decide to use an American artist, Tolkien should be allowed to see specimens of his work.

22 May 1937 Allen & Unwin send Tolkien for his approval a proof of the Hobbit dust-jacket.

26 May 1937 Allen & Unwin send Tolkien for his approval sample binding cases for The Hobbit.

28 May 1937 Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin. He approves the proof dust-jacket for The Hobbit, though he thinks that the sun would be improved if it had a slightly finer outline. Of the sample binding cases, he prefers the one in green. He agrees that ‘The Hobbit’ in the title would be best centred; but he does not like the italic lettering Allen & Unwin have used, or a wavy line at the edges and under the title. Either there should be no line, or it should be straight. He thinks that ‘a small design would be an improvement’ and will try to produce something. (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). – Tolkien also writes a second letter to Allen & Unwin, noting that ‘this is the most busy time of the year in every way. A week later and a time of relative peace will arrive’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He discusses how the publication date of The Hobbit might affect its sales in Oxford. He would prefer it to come out sooner than later, lest people assume that it is the major fruit of his Leverhulme Research Fellowship. He mentions the possibility of reviews in the Oxford Magazine, and by C.S. Lewis in the Times Literary Supplement. He encloses three ‘Silmarillion’ pictures as examples of his work in colour. If Houghton Mifflin like them, he could probably improve his standard for The Hobbit pictures. He will see what he can do as soon as he has time. He asks if there is any chance that Houghton Mifflin might use Mirkwood as an endpaper in their Hobbit, and put the maps in the text in the original colours, with Thror’s Map and the runes redrawn?

31 May 1937 Tolkien writes to Lionel Salt, the Bursar at Pembroke College. He will have to miss a play this evening, as one of his sons (Christopher) is being operated on for appendicitis.

June 1937 Tolkien spends much of his time caring for one of his children who is seriously ill (presumably Christopher, while recovering from appendicitis), and is ill himself. – He draws an ornamental wraparound design for the Hobbit binding, featuring mountains, moons, suns, and winged dragons.

1 June 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. Allen & Unwin have written to Houghton Mifflin regarding Tolkien’s letter of 28 May and have sent them the three ‘Silmarillion’ drawings. Furth asks Tolkien to return the approved Hobbit binding case. He agrees to remove the wavy line from underneath the title on the binding, but feels that something is needed at the edge; perhaps Tolkien’s small design will change the effect. They will change the lettering from italic to roman. Publication is now planned for September. Allen & Unwin will send unbound advance copies to C.S. Lewis and to the editor of the Oxford Magazine.

2 June 1937 Mabel Day reports to the Early English Text Society Committee that their Ancrene Riwle subcommittee met on 27 May and recommended that the texts of that work to be published by EETS should be printed line by line as in the original manuscripts. The main Committee, unconvinced of the need for this approach, asks that the printer prepare specimen pages from several of the manuscripts, and instructs Mabel Day to ask Professor Tolkien what would be the precise benefits of line-by-line transcription relative to the expense involved. She does so on the same day.

10 June 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Library Committee meeting. – English Final Honour School Examinations begin.

15 June 1937 Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting.

18 June 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Board meeting at 3.30 p.m. in Oriel College Lecture Room No. 4. – Tolkien possibly attends a meeting of the Committee for Comparative Philology at 5.15 p.m. in the Delegates Room of the Clarendon Building.

19 June 1937 Trinity Full Term ends.

23 June 1937 Encaenia.

June or July 1937 A.H. Smith calls on Tolkien in regard to his Ancrene Riwle edition for the Early English Text Society.

1 July 1937 Tolkien’s Sir Israel Gollancz Memorial Lecture, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, is published. In the weeks to follow he will receive several letters of appreciation and praise: correspondents include R.W. Chambers, Allen Mawer (1 July), David Nichol Smith (4 July), F.E. Harmer (5 July), George S. Gordon (8 July), F. Molina (29 July), and Oliver Elton (3 August). At least Chambers and Harmer, as well as Elaine Griffiths and Kenneth Sisam, receive copies personally from the author.

8 July 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He is sending a new Hobbit sample binding case with different lettering and without the lines under the title, which he agrees is an improvement. But unless Tolkien feels strongly about it, Allen & Unwin would like to leave the wavy lines at top and bottom.

?9 July 1937 Tolkien belatedly writes to C.A. Furth, sending the Hobbit binding design ‘at far as it had got a month ago, rather as evidence that I did do something. I thought the wavy line might be transformed into something significant; and tried to find an ornamental dragon-formula’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). But he thinks that the revised cover will do, and returns the sample case. He asks what the Americans think of the specimens he sent. He says that he has not yet drawn any new Hobbit illustrations but will start to do so if they are still wanted. – In the event, he evidently does not wait for confirmation of the latter, and will soon begin to produce five new pictures in pen and watercolour, some of which will evolve through a series of preliminary sketches. See note.

?22 July 1937 In reply to a request from Susan Dagnall, Tolkien writes to Allen & Unwin, enclosing the most recent photograph of himself that exists. He asks again if Houghton Mifflin are likely to require colour illustrations for The Hobbit from him, as he does ‘not want to labour in vain.’ Since he has to be in London on 28 July, he would like to call at Allen & Unwin’s offices and submit what he has done. ‘Your production dep[artmen]t might perhaps kindly advise me as to whether the efforts are passable, and in any case suitable for reproduction’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). – By now Tolkien has made four colour illustrations for The Hobbit: Rivendell, Bilbo Woke Up with the Early Sun in His Eyes, Bilbo Comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves, and Conversation with Smaug.

23 July 1937 A.W. Rablen, an undergraduate at Oxford for the past few years, writes to Tolkien, listing misprints Rablen has found in the 1930 impression of the Tolkien–Gordon edition of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

24 July 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien. He and C.A. Furth would be pleased to see Tolkien on 28 July, and suggests that they meet at 12.20 p.m. Allen & Unwin will cable Houghton Mifflin if they have not had a reply by 26 July. Unwin asks if Tolkien owns the copyright to the photograph he sent.

25 July 1937 Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin. He will arrive at Allen & Unwin’s offices at about 12.30 p.m., if his train is on time. He does not think that it will take long to tell him whether what he has done is suitable, or if not suitable, what is wrong. The photograph he has supplied was paid for by the students in his department when he left Leeds; he is not sure of the copyright position.

28 July 1937 Tolkien goes to London, arriving probably on the 12.05 p.m. train. Around 12.30 p.m. he visits Allen & Unwin’s offices in Museum Street, taking with him the four finished colour illustrations for The Hobbit. These are approved and left to be forwarded to Houghton Mifflin. He is scheduled to be at a meeting in Curzon Street from 3.00–4.30 p.m.

29 July 1937 Tolkien is in London again. Although Stanley Unwin had invited him to lunch, apparently when he next came down from Oxford, Tolkien felt that 29 July was ‘too soon … to bother you again’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins).

August 1937 Tolkien writes this date on a page of rough notes related to The Fall of Arthur.

6 August 1937 Mabel Day writes to Tolkien. Although most members of the Early English Text Society Committee are in favour of publishing the texts of the Ancrene Riwle line-by-line, A.W. Pollard considers it unnecessary and not advisable. Pollard is disappointed that Tolkien still has not provided detailed evidence of the advantages of retaining line-endings as in the original manuscripts. She asks Tolkien for copy to set up thirty-two pages so that the Committee can see how a line-by-line treatment would work. Since the point of view has also been extended that if the line-endings are kept, so too should contractions, Day asks for two pages with contractions not expanded, and which includes a passage in Latin. She requests the material in time to be printed by November.

?7–?21 August 1937 Tolkien and his family take a holiday in Sidmouth.

10 August 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He is sending him an advance copy of The Hobbit and offering more. He reports that Houghton Mifflin think that Tolkien’s dust-jacket design has a ‘British look’, and that they have assumed that the drawings Tolkien sent merely as examples of his work are illustrations for The Hobbit.

13 August 1937 Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He asks that copies of The Hobbit be sent to George S. Gordon and R.W. Chambers, enclosing notes that Tolkien has written. Allen & Unwin may also use the colour illustrations if they wish. Tolkien suggests that they ‘keep them in “cold storage”’ when they are returned from America (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He has now completed a colour version of the frontispiece, The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the Water. – Tolkien also writes to Stanley Unwin, hoping to be able to have lunch with him when he is next in London, probably in November. He had time only to glance at Elaine Griffiths’ work on the Clark Hall Beowulf before going to Sidmouth, but will correct or help in correcting it, and write his ‘small bit’, as soon as he returns to Oxford (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins).

16 August 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He has sent the copies of The Hobbit as requested. He returns the drawing of a dragon that Tolkien had made for the binding. Furth agrees that the colour illustrations may be stored in the Allen & Unwin safe.

28 August 1937 Tolkien writes to Mabel Day. He is working on the specimens she requested in her letter of 6 August. He had hoped to complete work by now on his transcription and collation of Ancrene Wisse, but because of the death of the librarian at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and other difficulties, he has not been able to see the original manuscript; and possible library repairs at Cambridge may make consultation impossible for some time. He asks if the Early English Text Society has formally asked for permission to publish the text of the manuscript, as the acting librarian knows of no such permission. Tolkien feels that he said all that he could about the advantages of line-by-line presentation in a letter long ago to A.W. Pollard (he believes) and in conversation with Robin Flower and A.H. Smith. He thanks Day for valuable notes on A Middle English Vocabulary, sent long ago, and will make what use he can of them under the severe limitations of plate-correction, if an opportunity for another reprint arises – though he now has no control over the glossary.

30 August 1937 Mabel Day writes to Tolkien. She will ask Corpus Christi College, Cambridge for permission to publish MS CCCC 402. She informs Tolkien that A.W. Pollard seems never to have received a letter from him regarding line-by-line presentation. Pollard is anxious to receive examples of scribal errors occurring generally at line-ends, which has been put forward as the reason for presenting a manuscript line by line.

31 August 1937 Tolkien sends C.A. Furth The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the Water to forward to Houghton Mifflin if Allen & Unwin think it good enough. He chose the colour subjects for The Hobbit so that they would be evenly distributed throughout the book, especially when taken in conjunction with the black and white drawings. He asks if there is any chance of remuneration, as these colour illustrations were made specially for Houghton Mifflin and involved considerable labour. ‘At the moment I am in such difficulties (largely owing to medical expenses) that even a very small fee would be a blessing’ (Letters, p. 20). He does not expect Allen & Unwin to pay if they should decide to use the colour pictures, however: he appreciates that ‘production costs have been excessive (and that I have been hard on proofs)’. They ‘are most welcome at any time to anything you think I can do, in the way of drawing or redrawing, that is fit to use on The Hobbit’ (Letters, p. 20). He hopes that Mr Baggins will eventually come to his rescue. He has had letters of appreciation from George S. Gordon, R.W. Chambers, and Russell Meiggs, the editor of the Oxford Magazine. He encloses comments on the dust-jacket flap copy for The Hobbit, pointing out various errors and inaccuracies and sends a revised version of the blurb that they might wish to use.

1 September 1937 and later By summer 1937 E.V. Gordon, having given up hope of any contribution from Tolkien, has completed by himself work on an edition of Pearl, though he tells Kenneth Sisam at Oxford University Press that he would still welcome any contribution by Tolkien, which would certainly be for the good of the edition. But he does not want any long delays, as he has other commitments, and Pearl is replacing Sir Gawain on the Oxford English syllabus in 1938. Therefore by the beginning of September 1937 he sends his complete manuscript to Tolkien for him to revise and criticize, and suggests a date by which the work should be done. – By 20 November 1937 Tolkien will write at least one letter to Gordon, expressing the opinion that some parts are too long.

4 September 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He has asked Houghton Mifflin to return the specimen pictures, and has put forward Tolkien’s claim for a fee. If Allen & Unwin need to reprint The Hobbit, they will include the new colour art and will make some remuneration for their use. In regard to Tolkien’s criticism of the dust-jacket blurb, Allen & Unwin will substitute his wording on any reprint, but much of it by then will be crowded out by quotations from reviews. They may, however, be able to use some of what Tolkien wrote in their press material. Furth sends him a copy of a full-page pre-publication advertisement in the trade paper.

5–7 September 1937 Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He apologizes for the length of his letter regarding the jacket blurb: ‘I am afraid that, when I don’t neglect letters, I am apt to write ones much too long’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He thinks that he is still owed five copies of The Hobbit but will need twelve in all, to go to Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Cambridge, etc. He will have no immediate opportunity to rework Mr. Bliss as his research fellowship is rather exigent, but there might be a few odd moments if he was sure what was needed. In a postscript dated 7 September he suggests reviewers of The Hobbit, including W.R. Childe at Leeds, and personal connections which might promote sales in Britain and elsewhere. His wife has asked for the return of the photograph of Tolkien he sent to Allen & Unwin, as it is her property.

6 September 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien, offering him an advance on royalties. He sends a cheque for £25.

?Early September 1937 Around this time, Tolkien replaces his first car with another second-hand car.

8 September 1937 C.A. Furth writes to Tolkien. He is sending a complimentary copy of The Hobbit to W.R. Childe. Tolkien’s remaining author’s copies will be posted around 20 September, and he has asked that Tolkien be sent another dozen complimentary copies for publicity purposes.

17 September 1937 Tolkien writes to C.A. Furth. He needs only five outstanding author’s copies of The Hobbit, and seven more ‘to give to one or two people who for reasons of age or finance cannot buy’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He has gone through a great deal of the Clark Hall Beowulf but cannot pass it without seeing Elaine Griffiths. He confesses that he has not yet written his own part. – Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, thanking him for the cheque which arrived at a very convenient moment.

21 September 1937 The Hobbit is published by George Allen & Unwin. Tolkien probably receives the twelve copies he has requested only on or just before 21 September. He spends much of publication day, and possibly the next few days, inscribing copies to family, friends, colleagues, and former students, writing letters, and presumably wrapping and posting books. Some of the recipients are Helen Buckhurst, Simonne d’Ardenne, E.V. Gordon, Elaine Griffiths, Jennie Grove, the Jennings family, K.M. Kilbride (whom he also sends a copy of Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics), Stella Mills, Dorothy Moore (an old friend of Edith Tolkien), Jane Neave, and Hilary Tolkien. Tolkien is not sure of Jane Neave’s current address and asks Hilary for it. In the coming days and weeks he will receive many letters of thanks and praise for The Hobbit. See note.

22 September 1937 Tolkien writes to his Aunt Jane Neave, intending to send the letter with a copy of The Hobbit (but see entry for 6 October 1937). He looks forward to seeing her at Christmas, and will fetch her in his new car.

24 September 1937 Hilary Tolkien sends his brother their Aunt Jane’s address.

27 September 1937 Christopher Tolkien begins to attend the Oratory School at Caversham, joining his brother Michael. Tolkien drives the boys to the school and sees some of the new ‘flats’. – C.A. Furth informs Tolkien that Houghton Mifflin will pay him $100 for his illustrations to The Hobbit.

30 September 1937 Susan Dagnall asks Tolkien if he can recommend someone to write a book, to be called The Loom of Language, based on a synopsis she encloses.

1 October 1937 Tolkien writes to Susan Dagnall, asking for more information about The Loom of Language. – Jane Neave writes to Tolkien. She has heard about The Hobbit from Hilary, but has not yet received a copy. She asks for more information, and suggests that she might get a copy from the Times Book Club.

2 October 1937 Susan Dagnall writes to Tolkien. The idea for The Loom of Language originated apparently at a weekend party by a group including one of Allen & Unwin’s authors, and the synopsis was passed to them for possible development. See note. – C.S. Lewis anonymously reviews The Hobbit in the Times Literary Supplement. He points out that both The Hobbit and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ‘belong to a very small class of books which have nothing in common save that each admits us to a world of its own – a world that seems to have been going on before we stumbled into it but which, once found by the right reader, becomes indispensable to him’ (p. 714).

3 October 1937 Tolkien writes to his son Michael at school. He thanks Michael for keeping an eye on Christopher, and commiserates with him on not yet being in the school rugby football team. ‘Mummy seems to have taken to car-riding … and I have now got to take her’, Priscilla, and a family friend out this afternoon (Letters, p. 23).

5 October 1937 Tolkien writes to Susan Dagnall. He thinks the scheme of The Loom of Language bad, in fact he had wondered if it was a leg-pull.

6 October 1937 After receiving Jane Neave’s letter of 1 October Tolkien realizes that even though Hilary has sent him her address, he has not yet sent her the copy he signed and the letter he wrote on 22 September. Apparently he is unable to find these, and therefore signs and dates another copy on 6 October, and writes another letter in which he asks about the Times Book Club. When he finds the original copy he keeps it in his own collection with the earlier letter.

7 October 1937 Mary St John, OSB, of Oulton Abbey, the sister of Christopher Wiseman, writes to ask Tolkien if he would send her a copy of The Hobbit. Since she has taken a vow of poverty she offers to pay with prayers for him and his family.

8 October 1937 C.S. Lewis anonymously reviews The Hobbit for the London Times. He compares it to The Wind in the Willows and remarks that ‘in this book a number of good things, never before united, have come together: a fund of humour, an understanding of children, and a happy fusion of the scholar’s with the poet’s grasp of mythology’ (p. 20).

9 October 1937 Jane Neave writes to Tolkien enthusiastically about The Hobbit, the signed copy of which she has now received. She cannot find the reply from the Times Book Club.

10 October 1937 Michaelmas Full Term begins. Tolkien’s scheduled lectures and classes for this term are: Beowulf: Text on Tuesdays at 11.00 a.m. in the Examination Schools, beginning 12 October; Finn and Hengest on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12.00 noon in the Examination Schools, beginning 12 October; Old English Texts (Class) on Tuesdays at 5.15 p.m. at Pembroke College, beginning 12 October.

11 October 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien. His son Rayner is rereading The Hobbit now that it is in print. He sends Tolkien an appreciative letter from Richard Hughes, and warns him ‘that The Hobbit has come to stay and that a large public will be clamouring next year to hear more from you about Hobbits’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). Bumpus, the important London bookseller, has taken fifty copies on the basis of the Times review.

13 October 1937 Jane Neave is scheduled to pass through Oxford on her way to London by coach. Tolkien possibly meets her during a stop from 11.50 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. – Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting.

15 October 1937 Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, commenting on reviews of The Hobbit and the letter from Richard Hughes. He notes that no reviewer has mentioned his use of dwarves rather than dwarfs; he himself became aware of his usage only through reading reviews. He is perturbed at the idea of a sequel: he cannot think of anything more to say about hobbits, but he has a great deal to say about the world (of ‘The Silmarillion’) into which Bilbo Baggins intruded. He would like to show this material to Allen & Unwin and get an independent opinion of it. But if it is more about the hobbit that is wanted, he will start to think what can be done. He wonders if possibly such works will be successful enough to allow him to write, rather than spend vacations on examining and such things in order to pay medical and education bills, as he has done for seventeen years. ‘Writing stories in prose or verse has been stolen, often guiltily, from time already mortgaged, and has been broken and ineffective. I may perhaps now do what I much desire to do, and not fail of financial duty. Perhaps!’ (Letters, p. 24). He comments on the reception of The Hobbit in Oxford. ‘The attitude is (as I foresaw) not unmixed with surprise and a little pity. My own college [Pembroke] is I think good for about six copies, if only in order to find material for teasing me’ (Letters, p. 24). He asks if 27 October would be a suitable day for him to have lunch with Unwin. He could bring Mr. Bliss with him to get advice on how to redraw it to make it reproducible. He acknowledges the return of the specimen drawings lent to Houghton Mifflin.

19 October 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien. He thinks that Tolkien might well hope for an income from writing. He confirms a lunch appointment for 27 October.

?20 or 27 October 1937 C.S. Lewis reads part of Out of the Silent Planet at a meeting of the Inklings.

21 October 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Library Committee meeting.

23 October 1937 Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, confirming their lunch appointment on 27 October. He will try to start writing a sequel to The Hobbit soon, and will submit it to Rayner Unwin at the earliest opportunity. – Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting.

27 October 1937 Tolkien travels to London, probably on the 12.05 train, for a 12.45 lunch with Stanley Unwin. Unwin asks him to submit various writings for consideration. After their meeting Unwin makes a rough list of material that Tolkien has mentioned. These include ‘a volume of short fairy stories in various styles practically ready for publication … (Sil Marillion) [sic]’; ‘the typescript of a History of the Gnomes, and stories arising from it’; Mr. Bliss; The Lost Road, ‘a partly written novel of which we could see the opening chapters’; ‘a great deal of verse of one kind and another which would probably be worth looking at’; a translation of Beowulf ‘upon which he has as yet done very little’; and the ‘Father Christmas’ letters (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). Unwin also notes that Tolkien spoke enthusiastically of The Marvellous Land of Snergs by E.A. Wyke-Smith (1927). – Tolkien had planned to travel to London this day in order to attend a lecture by Professor Joseph Vendryes at the British Academy later in the day. But he is tired, and has ‘a worrying business on mind awaiting me at 3 o’clock’ which, in the event, takes ‘so long that I only just managed to squeeze in [an appointment] in Elliott & Fry [the photographers] before my train. But, though I rather rushed them, they were very polite and expeditious, so that I hope the results will be satisfactory’ (letter to Stanley Unwin, 29 October 1937, Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). Tolkien has been sent to Elliott & Fry by Allen & Unwin, so that they can have photographs for publicity purposes.

28 October 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien. He hopes that by their next meeting, on 17 November, Tolkien ‘will have put together the volume of short fairy stories in various styles. I hope you will also bring with you the History of the Gnomes and such chapters as you have written of The Lost Road’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He would also like to see Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis, which Tolkien apparently has mentioned.

29 October 1937 Tolkien attends an English Faculty Board meeting. He is elected to the Standing Committee on the Library, and is appointed (as convenor) to a committee ‘to consider and report on the whole question of the First Public Examination as affecting the English scheme’ (Oxford University Archives FA 4/5/1/1), together with *Helen Darbishire, C.S. Lewis, M.R. Ridley, and David Nichol Smith. The Applications Committee has appointed Tolkien the supervisor of advanced student K.R. Brooks of Merton College, who is preparing an edition of the Old English poem Andreas. – Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, suggesting dates in November for their next meeting. If 10 November, he would prefer the afternoon, for tea rather than lunch, so as not to miss a meeting in Oxford in the morning. 12 or 15 November would be free all day. He has seen C.S. Lewis, whose contract for Out of the Silent Planet obliges him to submit it first to the publisher J.M. Dent. – Tolkien writes again to Unwin, after receiving his letter of 28 October which suggests a meeting on Wednesday, 17 November. Tolkien can meet him on that date but ‘unless urgent matters intervene I work with Mr. Lewis each W[ednesday] morning and dine in College (my only night in the week). Mondays and Saturdays are my only days left empty (supposedly dedicated to my own study)’ (Tolkien– George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). He asks if he should borrow a copy of Out of the Silent Planet for Unwin to read, so that he would already have an opinion should Dent refuse to publish it. – J.N.L. Myres, a History scholar of Christ Church, Oxford writes to Tolkien regarding a bone object with a runic inscription found in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Caister-by-Norwich. The inscription is legible, but other authorities can make no sense of it.

30 October 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien, apparently having received only his first letter of 29 October. He suggests meeting on 10, 12, or 15 November.

31 October 1937 Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin, leaving it to him to choose between 15 or 17 November for their meeting.

1 November 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien, setting their meeting for Monday, 15 November. He would like to see Out of the Silent Planet if there is a spare typescript Tolkien can provide.

3 November 1937 Tolkien attends a Pembroke College meeting.

5 November 1937 Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin. He has received proofs of his photographs from Elliott & Fry. Edith has chosen one for them to send to Unwin. – F.E. Harmer, Lecturer in English at the University of Manchester, writes to Tolkien, asking if he can cite an instance of the use of (ge-)frith as an adjective in Middle English or Old English. She has sent The Hobbit to her nephews.

10 November 1937 Tolkien probably attends a meeting in Oxford this morning. – Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien in reply to his comments about Elliott & Fry. He sends him a complimentary ticket for the Sunday Times Book Fair.

15 November 1937 Tolkien meets Stanley Unwin in London. He hands over for consideration the Lay of Leithian (recorded by Unwin as ‘Long Poem’), the Quenta Silmarillion, the Ainulindalë, the Ambarkanta, and The Fall of Númenor (which Unwin calls collectively ‘The Gnomes Material’), The Lost Road, and again, Farmer Giles of Ham and Mr. Bliss (George Allen & Unwin archive, University of Reading). They discuss the revised edition of the Clark Hall Beowulf, and Unwin explains exactly what is wanted. Tolkien shows him some of Elaine Griffiths’ work, with heavy corrections to the text. Later in the day Tolkien visits the Sunday Times Book Fair at Dorland Hall in southwest London, and will wish that he could have stayed there longer: ‘Russian books, book-cases, American juveniles, all sorts of things. As a mere author I could not escape the feeling that there are already too many (let alone the dead whose works yet live)’ (letter to Stanley Unwin, 17 November 1937, Tolkien– George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). – After this meeting Tolkien will tell Elaine Griffiths what the publisher wants regarding the Clark Hall volume.

15 November–19 December 1937 Tolkien continues to work on the Quenta Silmarillion while the fair copy manuscript is with Allen & Unwin, and probably also in the brief time between its return from the publisher and the start of composition of The Lord of the Rings. In two less carefully written and slightly overlapping manuscripts, he extends the story of the Quenta Silmarillion from the point at which Beren cuts a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown, to the flight of Túrin from Thingol’s court. As he writes, Tolkien decides to change certain names; on 20 November he makes a note to remind himself to make these alterations in the fair copy manuscript when it returns.

16 November 1937 Since Allen & Unwin have already looked at Farmer Giles of Ham, Stanley Unwin returns the typescript to Tolkien. He comments that ‘if there were sufficient material of a like character to put with it, it would make a most excellent book’ (Tolkien–George Allen & Unwin archive, HarperCollins). – C.V. Salmon of the BBC writes to Tolkien. He would like to discuss the possibility of a broadcast programme on Beowulf, with a reading in the original Old English.

17 November 1937 Tolkien writes to Stanley Unwin. He sends a letter from a Mlle Tardivel asking about a possible French translation of The Hobbit. He has sent her an interim reply that he would pass the proposal to Allen & Unwin. He mentions that Simonne d’Ardenne has translated Farmer Giles of Ham into French and might be considered as a translator of The Hobbit. – Tolkien replies to C.V. Salmon. He would be pleased to discuss a Beowulf broadcast. If Salmon can come to Oxford, he can see him almost any day if he is not lecturing; but if they are to meet in London Mondays (especially) and Wednesdays are the most convenient for Tolkien.

c. 20 November 1937 E.V. Gordon writes to Tolkien. Like Tolkien, Kenneth Sisam also thinks that Gordon’s edition of Pearl needs cutting. Gordon will write to Sisam that as it is much easier to cut someone else’s work than to reduce one’s own, he hopes that Tolkien will be willing to prune Pearl.

20 November 1937 Stanley Unwin writes to Tolkien. Allen & Unwin are trying to arrange German, Scandinavian, and other rights for translations of The Hobbit. He will write to both Simonne d’Ardenne and Mlle Tardivel.

23 November 1937 C.V. Salmon of the BBC writes to Tolkien. He asks if Tolkien can see him in Oxford on Monday, 29 November. – Tolkien is appointed a governor of King Edward’s School, Birmingham, as the representative of Oxford University on the governing body. He will be reappointed in 1940 to act until 1947, but will resign on 1 January 1941. Although the governors meet once a month, Tolkien will attend only four meetings during his term of office.