Letters 
Letter Tags
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Tolkien apologizes to Christopher for the delay in writing and shares details of recent activities, including giving lectures, discussing Cardiff with G...
Tolkien has not written for a week and speaks of his "shame of letting a whole week go". He has been praying for Christopher constantly though...
No details of this letter are known except for the note in #TCGLetter1033 that says Tolkien now knows that Christopher had received the "fotobriefs...
Tolkien notes the lack of humorous anecdotes due to limited social interactions in recent weeks. He also mentions an encounter with Lewis, who is energe...
No details from this letter are currently known and it is only noted in Tolkien's letter of 27 March, 1944 as "airgraph FS 10".
Tolkien says they have received many letters from Christopher, he will feel much better when he knows that he has received theirs. Tolkien notes that he...
Tolkien had an outing, seeing the two Lewis brothers and having lunch with C.S. Lewis. During the meeting, Lewis read part of a new story.
Tolkien recounts recent events, including a cycle ride to Pembroke, a train journey to Birmingham, and a visit to his hometown. During the train journey...
Tolkien shares his commitment to completing The Lord of the Rings, expressing the challenges of re-reading and researching while working on the adventur...
Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a recently received airletter, shares updates about writing progress on The Lord of the Rings and mentions spending time...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving a batch of letters and, discusses the distressing but unsurprising uncensored accounts of Christopher's experien...
Tolkien gives Christopher an update on his progess on The Two Towers, the second book of The Lord of the Rings. He has read the second chapter, "Pa...
Tolkien had received an airletter from Christopher that morning and he read it while enjoying breakfast in bed. He describes the events of St. George&ap...
Tolkien writes of his longing and concern for Christopher in the midst of war, reflecting on human suffering and the senselessness of conflict. Despite ...
Having read another chapter to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien is now writing the next, and will send Christopher copies as soon as possible.
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters and acknowledges the challenges and frustrations of life in the military camp during the war. He empathiz...
Tolkien completed a fourth new chapter titled 'Faramir,' which received approval from C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. He notes that he attend...
Tolkien spent a morning writing The Lord of the Rings and is now in sight of Minas Morghul. He has been gardening in the midday heat. he expresses his r...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien updates him on his progress writing The Lord of the Rings. He had needed to sort the study, and "attend to business...
Tolkien apologizes for the lapse in correspondence. He gives an update on writing of The Lord of the Rings. He reads for Lewis and Williams and both men...
Tolkien expresses gratitude for the letters he has received from Christopher and briefly mentions an inclination to envy his time in the hills. Tolkien ...
Writing to Christopher with an update on recent happenings. He had dinner in college and notes that "the three old gents" were very easy to ta...
Tolkien writes to Christopher. FS29 in his series of FS letters. No details of this letter are currently known.
Tolkien acknowledges receiving Christopher's air letter and briefly mentions the weather. He provide updates on recent activities, including effort...
This entry is a placeholder for two of Tolkien's FS letters to his son Christopher. Mentioned in Chronology, "12–26 June 1944 During this pe...
Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel "worn out". He mentions that he had recei...
Tolkien writes to Christopher. Assumed to be FS34. No details are currently known about the letter.
Tolkien opens this letter by mentioning that he is writing this letter using his new "midget type" typewriter cartridges. These could be inter...
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
Tolkien writes to Christopher. Assumed to be FS 37. No details of the letter are known.
Tolkien writes to Christopher. Assumed to be FS 38 but no details of the letter are currently known.
Tolkien discusses the name Sam Gamgee, agreeing with Christopher's opinion and explaining the choice to emphasize the character's comic, peasa...
Tolkien writes to Christopher. It is assumed to be FS 40 but no further details are known.
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...
Tolkien writes to Christopher. It is assumed to be FS 42 but no further details are known.
Tolkien responds to Christopher's letters, encouraging openness about details of his life. He offers support for navigating challenges and express ...
Tolkien writes to Christopher. It is assumed to be FS 44 but no further details are known.
Tolkien reflects on the cultural landscape, comparing Kroonstad, seen as a genuine product of their culture, with Jo'burg's aspirations. He ex...
Priscilla has been struggling with The Ballad of the White Horse and trying to parts of it to her has made Tolkien realize it isn't as good as he r...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving an airgraph before Christopher's departure to Standerton. He discusses the progress of the chapters and promises...
Engaged in revision, Tolkien reflects on the chapter "King of the Golden Hall" and finds it to be rather good with the perspective of time.
Tolkien noted this airgraph (FS 53) in his letter of 6 October but no other details are currently known.
In a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien remarks on what a wonderful week it has been for letters from Christopher. He hopes that letters fro...
Tolkien has discovered a severe problem in timing for events in The Lord of the Rings, and will require much work to fix. He has sent a copy of Leaf by ...
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings is giving Tolkien trouble, but with some small changes to the map and a few extra days here and there seem to hav...
Tolkien has just seen a "skywide armada" fly overhead, but thinks he can mention it in his letter because it will be long gone before any risk...
A very short excerpt (three sentences) where Tolkien mentions the fading of the current year into "dull grey mournful darkness", and wonders w...
Tolkien was interested to hear that Christopher had run into "another of the Unwins", Harold Unwin, a.k.a Chris. He says that Rayner was at Bl...
In regards to Christopher's mentioning of his guardian angel , Tolkien worried that Christopher's was very much needed. which reminded him of ...
Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and he notes how Lewis had been interested in the "angelic question" which Tolkien had mentioned to him in an earl...
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving several letters from Christopher and comments on the amusing account of the Wings ceremony. He appreciates the mentio...
Tolkien says that he gave two lectures yesterday, which was an "appalling" day of weather but that he had an excellent morning "at the Bi...
Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
In a newly published portion, Tolkien says that today is the last day for Christmas post arriving in time for Christmas and laments the way the holiday ...
Tolkien expresses joy that Christopher enjoyed the next three chapters of "The Ring" and provides information about the schedule for sending t...
Tolkien is happy to get so many letters from Christopher, and is very pleased that the third batch of Ring material has gotten to Christopher and that h...
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 t...
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 ot...
Tolkien has been enjoying reading Stenton's Anglo-Saxon England, and wishes he had a time-machine. Tolkien tells Christopher that this is the histo...
Tolkien describes some domestic plumbing troubles that prevented him from meeting up with Lewis in the morning, but the eventually managed to make it to...
Tolkien describes a letter he has written to the Catholic Herald, in rebuttal to someone who thinks Coventry is derived from Convent.
Tolkien says that he is finding lectures hard work, and that he is tired. He is surprised that he does not have written notes for Beowulf beyond approx....
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Fæder his suna (Father to Son. FS)
(65 letters match)1944
18 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#89
Carpenter #55
Tolkien apologizes to Christopher for the delay in writing and shares details of recent activities, including giving lectures, discussing Cardiff with G...
25 January 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1392
Carpenter #55a
Tolkien has not written for a week and speaks of his "shame of letting a whole week go". He has been praying for Christopher constantly though...
Before March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1523
No details of this letter are known except for the note in #TCGLetter1033 that says Tolkien now knows that Christopher had received the "fotobriefs...
1 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#90
Carpenter #56
Tolkien notes the lack of humorous anecdotes due to limited social interactions in recent weeks. He also mentions an encounter with Lewis, who is energe...
24 March 1944 (posted)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1521
No details from this letter are currently known and it is only noted in Tolkien's letter of 27 March, 1944 as "airgraph FS 10".
27 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1393
Carpenter #56a
Tolkien says they have received many letters from Christopher, he will feel much better when he knows that he has received theirs. Tolkien notes that he...
30 March 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#91
Carpenter #57
Tolkien had an outing, seeing the two Lewis brothers and having lunch with C.S. Lewis. During the meeting, Lewis read part of a new story.
3 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#92
Carpenter #58
Tolkien recounts recent events, including a cycle ride to Pembroke, a train journey to Birmingham, and a visit to his hometown. During the train journey...
5 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#93
Carpenter #59
Tolkien shares his commitment to completing The Lord of the Rings, expressing the challenges of re-reading and researching while working on the adventur...
8 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1033
Carpenter #59a
Tolkien writes to Christopher and mentions him sitting in his garden on a beautiful night around 2 a.m. Tolkien had struggled that day with a chapter an...
13 April 1944 (continued on 15 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#94
Carpenter #60
Tolkien expresses gratitude for a recently received airletter, shares updates about writing progress on The Lord of the Rings and mentions spending time...
18 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#95
Carpenter #61
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving a batch of letters and, discusses the distressing but unsurprising uncensored accounts of Christopher's experien...
23 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#96
Carpenter #62
Tolkien gives Christopher an update on his progess on The Two Towers, the second book of The Lord of the Rings. He has read the second chapter, "Pa...
24 April 1944 (continued 25 and 26 April)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#97
Carpenter #63
Tolkien had received an airletter from Christopher that morning and he read it while enjoying breakfast in bed. He describes the events of St. George&ap...
30 April 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#98
Carpenter #64
Tolkien writes of his longing and concern for Christopher in the midst of war, reflecting on human suffering and the senselessness of conflict. Despite ...
4 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#99
Carpenter #65
Having read another chapter to C.S. Lewis, Tolkien is now writing the next, and will send Christopher copies as soon as possible.
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 empathiz...
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 attend...
12 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#102
Carpenter #68
Tolkien spent a morning writing The Lord of the Rings and is now in sight of Minas Morghul. He has been gardening in the midday heat. he expresses his r...
14 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#103
Carpenter #69
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien updates him on his progress writing The Lord of the Rings. He had needed to sort the study, and "attend to business...
21 May 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#104
Carpenter #70
Tolkien apologizes for the lapse in correspondence. He gives an update on writing of The Lord of the Rings. He reads for Lewis and Williams and both men...
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 May 1944 (continued 3 June)
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" were very easy to ta...
6 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2402
Tolkien writes to Christopher. FS29 in his series of FS letters. No details of this letter are currently known.
10 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#144
Carpenter #73
Tolkien acknowledges receiving Christopher's air letter and briefly mentions the weather. He provide updates on recent activities, including effort...
Between 12 and 26 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2403
This entry is a placeholder for two of Tolkien's FS letters to his son Christopher. Mentioned in Chronology, "12–26 June 1944 During this pe...
27 June 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1395
Carpenter #73a
Tolkien had gone to bed early, and stayed there for nearly 10 hours, which he says has made him feel "worn out". He mentions that he had recei...
3 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2404
Tolkien writes to Christopher. Assumed to be FS34. No details are currently known about the letter.
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#146
Carpenter #75
Tolkien opens this letter by mentioning that he is writing this letter using his new "midget type" typewriter cartridges. These could be inter...
7 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1396
Carpenter #74a
Writing to Christopher, Tolkien gives news of C.S. Lewis and his need for an operation to remove some shrapnel, which he says must have been in his arm ...
17 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2408
Tolkien writes to Christopher. Assumed to be FS 37. No details of the letter are known.
~17-27 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2409
Tolkien writes to Christopher. Assumed to be FS 38 but no details of the letter are currently known.
28 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#165
Carpenter #76
Tolkien discusses the name Sam Gamgee, agreeing with Christopher's opinion and explaining the choice to emphasize the character's comic, peasa...
29 or 30 July 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2410
Tolkien writes to Christopher. It is assumed to be FS 40 but no further details are known.
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...
8 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2412
Tolkien writes to Christopher. It is assumed to be FS 42 but no further details are known.
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 ...
~13-21 August 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#2413
Tolkien writes to Christopher. It is assumed to be FS 44 but no further details are known.
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 ex...
3 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#169
Carpenter #80
Priscilla has been struggling with The Ballad of the White Horse and trying to parts of it to her has made Tolkien realize it isn't as good as he r...
23-25 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#170
Carpenter #81
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving an airgraph before Christopher's departure to Standerton. He discusses the progress of the chapters and promises...
30 September 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#171
Carpenter #82
Engaged in revision, Tolkien reflects on the chapter "King of the Golden Hall" and finds it to be rather good with the perspective of time.
30 September - 6 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1524
Tolkien noted this airgraph (FS 53) in his letter of 6 October but no other details are currently known.
6 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#172
Carpenter #83
In a newly published portion of this letter Tolkien remarks on what a wonderful week it has been for letters from Christopher. He hopes that letters fro...
12 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#173
Carpenter #84
Tolkien has discovered a severe problem in timing for events in The Lord of the Rings, and will require much work to fix. He has sent a copy of Leaf by ...
16 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#174
Carpenter #85
The timeline for The Lord of the Rings is giving Tolkien trouble, but with some small changes to the map and a few extra days here and there seem to hav...
23 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#175
Carpenter #86
Tolkien has just seen a "skywide armada" fly overhead, but thinks he can mention it in his letter because it will be long gone before any risk...
28 October 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#177
Carpenter #88
A very short excerpt (three sentences) where Tolkien mentions the fading of the current year into "dull grey mournful darkness", and wonders w...
1 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1399
Carpenter #88a
Tolkien was interested to hear that Christopher had run into "another of the Unwins", Harold Unwin, a.k.a Chris. He says that Rayner was at Bl...
7-8 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#178
Carpenter #89
In regards to Christopher's mentioning of his guardian angel , Tolkien worried that Christopher's was very much needed. which reminded him of ...
13 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1400
Carpenter #89a
Tolkien had seen C.S. Lewis and he notes how Lewis had been interested in the "angelic question" which Tolkien had mentioned to him in an earl...
24 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#179
Carpenter #90
Tolkien expresses joy at receiving several letters from Christopher and comments on the amusing account of the Wings ceremony. He appreciates the mentio...
29 November 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1401
Carpenter #91a
Tolkien says that he gave two lectures yesterday, which was an "appalling" day of weather but that he had an excellent morning "at the Bi...
4 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1402
Carpenter #91b
Tolkien opens with the news that he has finished his Beowulf lectures . He has neglected academic matters in favour of working out the time-schemes and ...
10 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1403
Carpenter #91c
Tolkien has given himself an early Christmas gift in the form of a new pruner for the garden, and gives a humorous description of his cycling to the gar...
18 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#217
Carpenter #92
In a newly published portion, Tolkien says that today is the last day for Christmas post arriving in time for Christmas and laments the way the holiday ...
24 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#218
Carpenter #93
Tolkien expresses joy that Christopher enjoyed the next three chapters of "The Ring" and provides information about the schedule for sending t...
28 December 1944
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#219
Carpenter #94
Tolkien is happy to get so many letters from Christopher, and is very pleased that the third batch of Ring material has gotten to Christopher and that h...
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 t...
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 ot...
18 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#220
Carpenter #95
Tolkien has been enjoying reading Stenton's Anglo-Saxon England, and wishes he had a time-machine. Tolkien tells Christopher that this is the histo...
30 January 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#221
Carpenter #96
Tolkien describes some domestic plumbing troubles that prevented him from meeting up with Lewis in the morning, but the eventually managed to make it to...
11 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#222
Carpenter #97
Tolkien describes a letter he has written to the Catholic Herald, in rebuttal to someone who thinks Coventry is derived from Convent.
17 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien
#1407
Carpenter #97a
Tolkien says that he is finding lectures hard work, and that he is tired. He is surprised that he does not have written notes for Beowulf beyond approx....
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