Letters 
Letter Tags
Stats
Writing to R.W. Chapman, George S. Gordon, Tolkien's co-editor on the Clarendon Chaucer project for Oxford University Press says that his staffing is mu...
George S Gordon writes to Kenneth Sisam mentioning Tolkien's involvement in the Clarendon Chaucer. The book will be published in OUP's 'Clarendon Englis...
Following his letter of 14 June, Gordon writes again to Kenneth Sisam. Tolkien has agreed to provide the glossary for the Clarendon Chaucer and will beg...
Tolkien had written to Gordon which Gordon forwards to Sisam. Tolkien had raised points on the Clarendon Chaucer, especially the 'Prologue to the Canter...
Tolkien receives proofs of the Clarendon Chaucer text and begins correcting them.
Tolkien returns the first 21 pages of proofs for the Clarendon Chaucer and notes some errors. In an attached note, Tolkien asks about the glossary for S...
Sisam replies to Tolkien's letter and agrees with his changes but asks if he could try to keep any changes to punctuation, mainly due to costs. He discu...
Tolkien returns further proofs of the Clarendon Chaucer and thanks Sisam for his advice and for two copies of proofs of Sir Gawain whih he had recieved....
Sisam writes to Gordon. He has become alarmed at the lack of progress with the Clarendon Chaucer, saying that Tolkien "is occupied with Gawayne> influen...
Gordon replies to Sisam's letter defending Tolkien on the matter of the delay on the Clarendon Chaucer. He says that Tolkien has had "a hellish time".
Writing to Tolkien, Sisam says that he is patiently expecting the completed Clarendon Chaucer and asks Tolkien to look over some corrections for his A M...
Inspite of his letter to Tolkien early in March, Kenneth Sisam writes to David Nichol Smith to complain that Tolkien is not only holding up the Clarendo...
Tolkien replies to Gordon, informing him that he is retiring from the Clarendon Chaucer.
Gordon writes to Sisam informing him that Tolkien has agreed that his place on the Clarendon Chaucer should be taken by another and he has agreed to ret...
Sisam had sent Tolkien a proof of the frontispiece for Sir Gawain and two sets of proofs from the Clarendon Chaucer with comments from Gordon and Tolkie...
In early December, Tolkien informs Kenneth Sisam that he and his family have been unwell and he is delayed with his work on the Clarendon Chaucer.
Sisam replies to Tolkien giving him dates to return the Clarendon Chaucer. He wants the glossary by end of year, 31 December at the latest and the notes...
George S. Gordon writes to Kenneth Sisam. Tolkien has sent to him manuscript of his glossary for the Clarendon Chaucer, with a preface, for Gordon to lo...
George S. Gordon sends to Kenneth Sisam the manuscript of Tolkien’s glossary and preface for the Clarendon Chaucer with a note to say that he approves...
Further to Gordon's packet enclosing Tolkien's glossary and preface, Sisam replies with a stern warning that if Tolkien commits to as many corrections o...
Sisam writes to Gordon saying that the glossary of the Clarendon Chaucer must be cut down by 10 pages. He tells Gordon that he will leave it to him to e...
Kenneth Sisam writes to Tolkien, enclosing the manuscripts for his glossary and tells Tollien to leave out "easy words". He had written that day to Gord...
Sisam writes to Tolkien, reminding him that he was meant to have handed in his notes on the Clarendon Chaucer by the end of January.
George S. Gordon sends to Kenneth Sisam a batch of manuscripts for the Clarendon Chaucer. AMong them texts, notes for the essays and he says that Tolkie...
In reply to Kenneth Sisam's letter, Tolkien replies that he would be interested to take part in an edition of the Ancrene Riwle. He in fact already has ...
Sisam replies to Tolkien's letter and approves of Tolkien's intention to try to finish the Clarendon Chaucer.
After Tolkien had criticized to Kenneth Sisam, the lack of progress on the Clarendon Chaucer and bemaoned the fact that his notes had not been returned ...
Tolkien writes to Sisam. He has done as much work on the Clarendon Chaucer as possible during his "shattered vac". He is now to be snowed under with wor...
Sisam replies to Tolkien explaining that the Clarendon Chaucer should have less notes than in a typical 'school' edition, suggesting that notes should b...
Robert Chapman replies to a letter from Tolkien, encouraging him to finish the Clarendon Chaucer.
Robert Chapman writes to David Nichol Smith after hearing from Tolkien who it appears will knuckle down and complete his parts on the Clarendon Chaucer.
Tolkien writes to Robert Chapman saying that he must finish the Clarendon Chaucer or else he will lose his good will with the Clarendon Press. Tolkien s...
Writing to Tolkien, Chapman offers to help with typing and urges Tolkien to get the Clarendon Chaucer off his mind. He believes that a Beowulf edition, ...
Writing to Kenneth Sisam, Tolkien informs him that Sigelwara Land will be published over three volumes of Medium Ævum. He thanks Sisam, likely for the ...
Tolkien sends his essay Chaucer as a Philologist: The Reeve's Tale, to David Nichol Smith. He hopes that Smith will be available to meet him before term...
In this letter to G.H. Cowling of Melbourne, Australia, Tolkien opens by explaining his delay in writing. Stating that he is a terrible letter writer, t...
R.W. Chapman writes to George S. Gordon who it is assumed had mentioned Tolkien's increased salary. He is pleased, and also that Tolkien has been awarde...
Gordon replies to Chapman's letter saying that he believes that Tolkien has finished his parts on the Clarendon Chaucer, but that they are finished to a...
Following his letter to R.W. Chapman, Gordon must have spoken with Tolkien as he replies that "Tolkien will have another try."
Tolkien responds to Mr. Masefield regarding the lines provided for a performance. Tolkien expresses no objection to being preceded by the lines and defe...
John Masefield writes to Tolkien asking if he would again like to take part in the 'Summer Diversions'.
Tolkien writes apologetically because he has missed the deadline for the program (of the year's Oxford Summer Diversions); he had looked through The Can...
Tolkien discusses Chaucer, saying he had “little learning”, some Latin skill but lacked the talent for prose. Also on this day Tolkien's letter to t...
Tolkien writes to Mr Riddle about languages word changes over time (including the S.I. or Split Infinitive), his father (Arthur Tolkien), Varsity, footb...
No details of this letter are known beyond the auction details. Phillips, Oxford, from 20 October 1988: ALS from Sir Lionel Whitby, Master of Downing Co...
Dan Davin, Kenneth Sisam's successor at the OUP writes to Tolkien about retrieving his material on the Clarendon Chaucer. When the two had met a week pr...
Tolkien writes to Dan Davin of the Oxford University Press (OUP) saying that he has returned any material that be useful. The material related to the fa...
Dan Davin replies to Tolkien with thanks for returning the material he had from the Clarendon Chaucer. he remarks that Tolkien is welcome to revisit any...
This letter of which excerpts were published in The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren concerned the etymology of the word 'faynights'. After it was pu...
Interesting and lengthy letter to Prof. Tolkien on a possible Chaucer holograph. Nothing more on this 3 page letter is known but it has been sold a numb...
No details of this letter are known beyond the auction details. From Phillips, Oxford, from 20 October 1988: 2pp. typed letter and typed article from R....
Tolkien offers a critical commentary on an essay about Chaucer. Tolkien says that the essay is too abstract and avoids direct language too much. A descr...
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Chaucer
(54 letters match)1920
26 June 1920
George S. Gordon to R.W. Chapman
#1335
Writing to R.W. Chapman, George S. Gordon, Tolkien's co-editor on the Clarendon Chaucer project for Oxford University Press says that his staffing is mu...
1923
14 June 1923
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1618
George S Gordon writes to Kenneth Sisam mentioning Tolkien's involvement in the Clarendon Chaucer. The book will be published in OUP's 'Clarendon Englis...
27 July 1923
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1619
Following his letter of 14 June, Gordon writes again to Kenneth Sisam. Tolkien has agreed to provide the glossary for the Clarendon Chaucer and will beg...
16 October 1923 (date forwarded by Gordon)
J.R.R. Tolkien to George S. Gordon (forwarded to Kenneth Sisam)
#1621
Tolkien had written to Gordon which Gordon forwards to Sisam. Tolkien had raised points on the Clarendon Chaucer, especially the 'Prologue to the Canter...
Last half of December 1923
Oxford University Press? to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1625
Tolkien receives proofs of the Clarendon Chaucer text and begins correcting them.
1924
5 January 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam (for Oxford University Press)
#1627
Tolkien returns the first 21 pages of proofs for the Clarendon Chaucer and notes some errors. In an attached note, Tolkien asks about the glossary for S...
8 January 1924
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1628
Sisam replies to Tolkien's letter and agrees with his changes but asks if he could try to keep any changes to punctuation, mainly due to costs. He discu...
1 February 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam (for Oxford University Press)
#1629
Tolkien returns further proofs of the Clarendon Chaucer and thanks Sisam for his advice and for two copies of proofs of Sir Gawain whih he had recieved....
26 February 1924
Kenneth Sisam to George S. Gordon
#1637
Sisam writes to Gordon. He has become alarmed at the lack of progress with the Clarendon Chaucer, saying that Tolkien "is occupied with Gawayne> influen...
28 February 1924
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1638
Gordon replies to Sisam's letter defending Tolkien on the matter of the delay on the Clarendon Chaucer. He says that Tolkien has had "a hellish time".
5 March 1924
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1639
Writing to Tolkien, Sisam says that he is patiently expecting the completed Clarendon Chaucer and asks Tolkien to look over some corrections for his A M...
21 March 1924
Kenneth Sisam to David Nichol Smith
#1640
Inspite of his letter to Tolkien early in March, Kenneth Sisam writes to David Nichol Smith to complain that Tolkien is not only holding up the Clarendo...
?May 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to George S. Gordon
#1704
Tolkien replies to Gordon, informing him that he is retiring from the Clarendon Chaucer.
15 May 1924
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1641
Gordon writes to Sisam informing him that Tolkien has agreed that his place on the Clarendon Chaucer should be taken by another and he has agreed to ret...
23 October 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1642
Sisam had sent Tolkien a proof of the frontispiece for Sir Gawain and two sets of proofs from the Clarendon Chaucer with comments from Gordon and Tolkie...
Early December 1924
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1644
In early December, Tolkien informs Kenneth Sisam that he and his family have been unwell and he is delayed with his work on the Clarendon Chaucer.
5 December 1924
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1645
Sisam replies to Tolkien giving him dates to return the Clarendon Chaucer. He wants the glossary by end of year, 31 December at the latest and the notes...
8 December 1924
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1646
George S. Gordon writes to Kenneth Sisam. Tolkien has sent to him manuscript of his glossary for the Clarendon Chaucer, with a preface, for Gordon to lo...
22 December 1924
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1647
George S. Gordon sends to Kenneth Sisam the manuscript of Tolkien’s glossary and preface for the Clarendon Chaucer with a note to say that he approves...
23 December 1924
Kenneth Sisam to George S. Gordon
#1648
Further to Gordon's packet enclosing Tolkien's glossary and preface, Sisam replies with a stern warning that if Tolkien commits to as many corrections o...
1925
5 January 1925
Kenneth Sisam to George S. Gordon
#1649
Sisam writes to Gordon saying that the glossary of the Clarendon Chaucer must be cut down by 10 pages. He tells Gordon that he will leave it to him to e...
5 January 1925
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1650
Kenneth Sisam writes to Tolkien, enclosing the manuscripts for his glossary and tells Tollien to leave out "easy words". He had written that day to Gord...
5 February 1925
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1651
Sisam writes to Tolkien, reminding him that he was meant to have handed in his notes on the Clarendon Chaucer by the end of January.
?18 (received 19) October 1925
George S. Gordon to Kenneth Sisam
#1725
George S. Gordon sends to Kenneth Sisam a batch of manuscripts for the Clarendon Chaucer. AMong them texts, notes for the essays and he says that Tolkie...
1930
21 November 1930
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1631
In reply to Kenneth Sisam's letter, Tolkien replies that he would be interested to take part in an edition of the Ancrene Riwle. He in fact already has ...
25 November 1930
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1632
Sisam replies to Tolkien's letter and approves of Tolkien's intention to try to finish the Clarendon Chaucer.
28 December 1930
George S. Gordon to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1633
After Tolkien had criticized to Kenneth Sisam, the lack of progress on the Clarendon Chaucer and bemaoned the fact that his notes had not been returned ...
1931
22 January 1931
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1634
Tolkien writes to Sisam. He has done as much work on the Clarendon Chaucer as possible during his "shattered vac". He is now to be snowed under with wor...
7 April 1931
Kenneth Sisam to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1636
Sisam replies to Tolkien explaining that the Clarendon Chaucer should have less notes than in a typical 'school' edition, suggesting that notes should b...
26 October 1931
Robert Chapman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1698
Robert Chapman replies to a letter from Tolkien, encouraging him to finish the Clarendon Chaucer.
26 October 1931
Robert Chapman to David Nichol Smith
#1699
Robert Chapman writes to David Nichol Smith after hearing from Tolkien who it appears will knuckle down and complete his parts on the Clarendon Chaucer.
1932
25 October 1932
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Chapman
#1701
Tolkien writes to Robert Chapman saying that he must finish the Clarendon Chaucer or else he will lose his good will with the Clarendon Press. Tolkien s...
27 October 1932
Robert Chapman to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1754
Writing to Tolkien, Chapman offers to help with typing and urges Tolkien to get the Clarendon Chaucer off his mind. He believes that a Beowulf edition, ...
18 December 1932
J.R.R. Tolkien to Kenneth Sisam
#1768
Writing to Kenneth Sisam, Tolkien informs him that Sigelwara Land will be published over three volumes of Medium Ævum. He thanks Sisam, likely for the ...
1934
16 September 1934
J.R.R. Tolkien to David Nichol Smith
#1798
Tolkien sends his essay Chaucer as a Philologist: The Reeve's Tale, to David Nichol Smith. He hopes that Smith will be available to meet him before term...
23 December 1934
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Herbert Cowling
#78
In this letter to G.H. Cowling of Melbourne, Australia, Tolkien opens by explaining his delay in writing. Stating that he is a terrible letter writer, t...
1936
26 October 1936
R.W. Chapman to George S. Gordon
#1836
R.W. Chapman writes to George S. Gordon who it is assumed had mentioned Tolkien's increased salary. He is pleased, and also that Tolkien has been awarde...
28 October 1936
George S. Gordon to R.W. Chapman
#1837
Gordon replies to Chapman's letter saying that he believes that Tolkien has finished his parts on the Clarendon Chaucer, but that they are finished to a...
5 November 1936
George S. Gordon to R.W. Chapman
#1838
Following his letter to R.W. Chapman, Gordon must have spoken with Tolkien as he replies that "Tolkien will have another try."
1938
27 July 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Masefield
#36
Carpenter #32
Tolkien responds to Mr. Masefield regarding the lines provided for a performance. Tolkien expresses no objection to being preceded by the lines and defe...
1939
7 July 1939
John Masefield to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2179
John Masefield writes to Tolkien asking if he would again like to take part in the 'Summer Diversions'.
14 July 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to John Masefield
#1786
Tolkien writes apologetically because he has missed the deadline for the program (of the year's Oxford Summer Diversions); he had looked through The Can...
1945
23 February 1945
J.R.R. Tolkien to E.H. Connor
#1408
Carpenter #97b
Tolkien discusses Chaucer, saying he had “little learning”, some Latin skill but lacked the talent for prose. Also on this day Tolkien's letter to t...
1947
2 October 1947
J.R.R. Tolkien to A.W. Riddle
#130
Tolkien writes to Mr Riddle about languages word changes over time (including the S.I. or Split Infinitive), his father (Arthur Tolkien), Varsity, footb...
1950
1950
Sir Lionel Whitby to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1358
No details of this letter are known beyond the auction details. Phillips, Oxford, from 20 October 1988: ALS from Sir Lionel Whitby, Master of Downing Co...
1951
30 May 1951
Dan Davin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2352
Dan Davin, Kenneth Sisam's successor at the OUP writes to Tolkien about retrieving his material on the Clarendon Chaucer. When the two had met a week pr...
8 June 1951
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dan Davin
#154
Tolkien writes to Dan Davin of the Oxford University Press (OUP) saying that he has returned any material that be useful. The material related to the fa...
After 8 June 1951
Dan Davin to J.R.R. Tolkien
#2353
Dan Davin replies to Tolkien with thanks for returning the material he had from the Clarendon Chaucer. he remarks that Tolkien is welcome to revisit any...
25 November 1951
J.R.R. Tolkien to Iona and Peter Opie
#155
This letter of which excerpts were published in The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren concerned the etymology of the word 'faynights'. After it was pu...
1952
c. January 1952 - July 1953
Derek Price to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1356
Interesting and lengthy letter to Prof. Tolkien on a possible Chaucer holograph. Nothing more on this 3 page letter is known but it has been sold a numb...
1953
1953
R.M. Wilson to J.R.R. Tolkien
#1357
No details of this letter are known beyond the auction details. From Phillips, Oxford, from 20 October 1988: 2pp. typed letter and typed article from R....
1957
9-10 November 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski
#326
Tolkien offers a critical commentary on an essay about Chaucer. Tolkien says that the essay is too abstract and avoids direct language too much. A descr...
4024
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