Letters 
Letter Tags
Stats
Tolkien writes to the wife of Joseph Wright thanking her for sending him her article about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and some kind comments about ...
Herbert Davis appears to inform George S. Gordon that Tolkien is ill, but that he had heard from E.V. Gordon that Tolkien was on the mend and would be OK.
Tolkien writes to R.W. Chambers complaining that he has only recently finished marking School Certification exam papers, which he had to do to pay medic...
Reverend Father Aurelius Pompen (Professor of English at the Catholic University of Nijmegen) had contacted Tolkien asking if the family could take in a...
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in replying to Selby's November letter due to his poor health. He remarks that he prefers his own mythology which The H...
Tolkien has been ill. He offers advice on Ida's financial situation after the death of her husband, E.V. Gordon.
Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...
Tolkien opens with news of the terrible year the family have had. Christopher has had a bad heart and in bad health the entire year. More than a dozen f...
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien offers an update with his work on The Lord of the Rings. He has not worked on since December but feels it is a better wor...
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien expresses gratitude for the enclosed cheque for royalities for 1938 and an advance of the royalties from Houghton Mifflin...
Tolkien updates Phillip Unwin on the current situation at universities given the news of war with Germany. He says there will be a reduced demand, but s...
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...
Tolkien in a letter to The Society (addressed to Chapman) says he is not able to host The Society meeting and dinner as Exeter and Pembroke are not avai...
To son Michael, Tolkien describes the dreary and busy time with foul weather, shares a humorous incident involving snuff at a pub, mentions committee wo...
Identifying more with his Suffield heritage than his Tolkien name, Tolkien expresses a deep connection to Worcestershire, considering it "home" due to h...
Tolkien writes to Sir Stanley Unwin, who had just been knighted. He asked about Farmer Giles. And remarks on his progress to The Hobbit sequel among oth...
Tolkien had received a parcel, he thanks O'Loughlin and confirms it arrived safely. Tolkien has been very busy and had flu recently, hence his delayed r...
Relations between Tolkien and Allen & Unwin had begun to become strained as Tolkien felt that A&U were not open to publishing his work as he would have ...
Tolkien in a letter to Hugh Brogan gives him some updates on his health. He also says that “Drama” is a “bore”.
Tolkien opens this letter by immediately apologising for using his typewriter. He is having trouble with his hand and is resting it. George had asked To...
Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby, giving details of his various health issues at present. He is suffering from laryngitis, lumbago, and sciatica. He still h...
Writing to Miss Perry, Tolkien discusses the Lord of the Rings, hoping it will be published in the coming year. He has had ill health and has been very ...
Tolkien opens by saying he has been ill or else would have replied to Miss Perry's letter of 10 August. He mentions a Mr. Lambert and that authors shoul...
Among various subjects, Tolkien mentions his health, which has been good, and the oddness of suggestioning gifts. He remarks that he was gifted a pair o...
Tolkien writes a letter explaining his current bad health and work load. He also remarks on his feelings about the changes that had recently been introd...
Tolkien discusses an invitation to visit the Marquette University the following spring as well health issues. He had been obliged to cancel plans to tra...
Writing to his son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the state of their house, and Edith's recovery from a broken arm. He also talks about his recent health s...
Tolkien confirms that Ancrene Wisse is at the press and should be available soon but this all depends on how quickly he can get the proofs back to them....
Tolkien arranges to be photographed by Pamela Chandler.
Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with 'Tom Bombadil' as the book is too small according to GA&U. He notes that he believed a small vol...
Tolkien apologises that Farmer Giles of Ham is only really "half a book", and mentions his and Edith's poor health.
Tolkien writes to a couple that he met while on holiday. He and Edith have been ill and he considers their vacation to have been a disaster but says mee...
Tolkien discusses various matters on Beowulf. Extracts were published in Bruce Mitchell's book On Old English: Selected Papers and in The J.R.R. Tolkien...
A reply to a sympathetic letter of Professor Przemyslaw Mroczkowski in Kraków. Tolkien hopes that his friend has recovered from an operation, though To...
Tolkien replies to Sue Parman, who had adapted some of Tolkien's poetry to music and sent him a recording on tape.
Tolkien writes about Walt Disney and then on the second and final page says that he has been ill and unable to work. He is now better. A quote from this...
Tolkien is pleased that Ward enjoyed the book. He says he is against dramatizations of his works, especially The Lord of the Rings which he feels is too...
Tolkien shoots down any idea of a "Tolkien Award" by Ace Books, and suspects that this is just a way for them to make themselves feel better about denyi...
Tolkien writes and expresses his regret at his delayed reply. he had like many at that time been ill with influenza. He encloses two copies of the signe...
Tolkien writes to Swann, mentioning details about recital, press photographs, dinner afterwards, etc. Tolkien has laryngitis.
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann who had visited the Tolkiens. He and Edith were unwell at the time. A copy of this letter is held at the Wade.
Tolkien writes to Clyde S. Kilby making mention that he is pleased that Kilby has finally received the correct medication and says that he is yet to con...
Edith writes thanking Pamela Chandler for writing. It is the Professor's 75th birthday and he has received many cards, letters, and telegrams. Chandler ...
Tolkien writes thanking Kilby for an article on Barzun and for sending a turkey.
Writing to Willaim Ready, Tolkien states that he does not like being written about and will not provide information on his family and origins. He asks R...
Tolkien's secretary Phyllis Jenkinson writes to Pamela about her photos. Edith and her husband are ill and too tired to write immediately and will write...
Edith apologises for taking so long to reply but Tolkien has been very ill with a virus. he remains in bed. She remarks that she would like six of the s...
Tolkien apologises that his illness has made him look like Gollum and has interfered with work.
Edith thanks Pamela for her letter and remarks that she is happy that she is busy and has plenty of work. Tolkien, with much care is feeling much better...
Tolkien writes about the writer's grandfather, Paul Barbier. The address is incorrect on this letter, it should be Grosmont Haggs not Grosmont Maggs.
In the Revised edition of Letters, there is brief extract where Tolkien talks about his serious health issues and complains about Joy Hill saying it was...
Tolkien writes to Verhulst appreciatively about C.S. Lewis's Letters to an American Lady, a copy of which Verhulst had sent him.
Edith is delighted by the photographs and writes to thank Pamela for them. Tolkien is much better now, but easily becomes tired. Priscilla will be visit...
Tolkien apologizes for a secretarial letter, and says he cannot help with the matter of books for children, as he doesn't really like children's books a...
Tolkien sends Rosfrith a copy of the US version of his 'small tale'. He does not state the title, but it is very likely to be Smith of Wootton Major.
On June 5th, Colin Smythe had replied to Tolkien, saying that he would be delighted to have a poem on Westernesse. This response sent back to Smythe was...
Tolkien writes to Ingrid who lives at Spire Hollin. he gives her news of his health, he is recovering after breaking his leg in a fall down his stairs. ...
Tolkien complains about how the movers took advantage of Edith's health and did a bad job, for example putting furniture in the wrong rooms. Tolkien him...
Tolkien writes to Joy Hill during an enforced break in Bournmouth where he is resting with a broken leg.
Tolkien writes asking how long he will have to remain in hospital as he has to return home on the 8th September. He says that there is no room available...
Smythe had written back to Tolkien on July 1 saying that he was sorry to hear about Tolkien's accident, and sending along a copy of his latest publicati...
Tolkien writes to his secretary Joy Hill, addressing her as "Joy" for the first time here, previously using "Miss Hill". He is injured and staying at th...
Tolkien says that between his recent injury and recover, Edith's health problems, and recently moving house, all his papers and other belongs are unorga...
Maple & Co were a furniture store in Bournemouth, Tolkien appears to have bought furniture from them but has not cleared out his library to allow the fu...
Autograph letter signed, to Tony Hall explaining that he no longer lives in Oxford , describing an accident and subsequent treatment for injuries that h...
Tolkien is distressed at Mary Fairburn's situation and offers to financially help her. Mary Fairburn had sent Tolkien some illustrations to view, which ...
Letter to Mary Fairburn declining acquiring all of her pictures as he does not have wall space to hang them, but he is interested in her Mirror of Galad...
Tolkien writes about the loss of privacy and time due to his popularity, forcing him to leave Oxford, and precluding any need for a secretary.
Tolkien discusses a recent leg injury and the kindness he received while in the hospital.
Tolkien writes to the eldest daughter of Ida and E. V. Gordon. He has sent an autograph to friends of Bridget as requested, and mentions that he has mov...
Paula Coston had a long letter writing correspondence with Tolkien, only one sheet of her letters has been published.
Tolkien has received a tie from Boyd Hooper, the brother of Walter Hooper, and apologizes for taking so long to reply to say thank you. It was lost in t...
Tolkien offers profuse thanks for her gift of five bottles. He says that his health and his wife Edith's are not good. They are looking forward to Sprin...
Tolkien replies to Janina Mroczkowska, the wife of Tolkien's friend and professor, Przemyslaw Mroczkowski. He apologises for his lack of replying to Prz...
Tolkien writes about Cynewulf and Glanduin.
Tolkien signs the dust-jacket of The Hobbit for Mr Burrows. Sold for £1300 at Bloomsbury Auctions Sale 614, 24th May 2007. Auction listing included a f...
Tolkien writes to Unwin (first name not noted) about his health. This letter was sold by Sotheby Parke Bernet in the Catalogue of Modern Literary Manusc...
Tolkien wrote a letter to his cousin Dorothy (Ding) Wood. Among the subjects he discusses is his recent fall. Tolkien makes some mention of his name, fa...
Tolkien visited Nottingham with Rayner Unwin on 2nd May 1970. Tolkien received an Honorary D. Litt. Tolkien writes about a student demonstration that to...
Tolkien describes that since his accident when he moved, he has been unable to leave his house overnight and that he would love to visit Canada and Sout...
Tolkien replies, thanking Miss Morley for her letter. It has arrived at his private address and mentions that he does not know how she has received that...
Tolkien has been ill and worried about where he is going to live, he is staying with family members while he decides on a permanent location to live.
Tolkien writes to his grandson Michael George mentioning various problems such as health, his fans, and the press.
William H. Tait, writing to the Old Edwardians Gazette offering a personal rememberance of a time around July 1909 when he, Tolkien and six others from ...
Tolkien declines the invitation previously accepted due to ill health.
Tolkien writes to inform Dorothy Wood that he is feeling much better.
Tolkien writes to confirm that he is happy to sign their books. He is unwell so cannot make any plans but to call at 21 Merton Street and he will see th...
Tolkien describes his health, regretting that he cannot accept an invitation to dine. Jonathan Fletcher Wordsworth (1932-2006) was an academic, literary...
Tolkien writes to Clyse S. Kilby regarding his health issues. Kilby remarks in his article 'Woodland Prisoner' from SEVEN Vol. 27 that this was the last...
Tolkien writes to Mr Hodgson, who has asked for a hand-written version of the poem "The Road Goes Ever On and On". Tolkien apologizes for a delayed resp...
Tolkien writes to Mr Higgins and declines his invitation to be on a 'jury'. He talks about his frustrations with his health and that he is trying to sol...
In this letter to Dorothy Wood, Tolkien mentions his poor health. He is not allowed to drink wine or heavy evening meals. Tolkien had earlier arranged f...
Tolkien writes a letter of thanks for dinner with Professor Glyn Daniel in Cambridge. The letter is printed in J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, pp. 256-7.
Letter Tags
Stats
Guide to Tolkien's Letters
Health
(94 letters match)1923
13 February 1923
J.R.R. Tolkien to E. M. Wright
#6
Carpenter #6
Tolkien writes to the wife of Joseph Wright thanking her for sending him her article about Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and some kind comments about ...
12 June 1923
George S. Gordon to Herbert Davis
#1339
Herbert Davis appears to inform George S. Gordon that Tolkien is ill, but that he had heard from E.V. Gordon that Tolkien was on the mend and would be OK.
1925
7 August 1925
J.R.R. Tolkien to R.W. Chambers
#1724
Tolkien writes to R.W. Chambers complaining that he has only recently finished marking School Certification exam papers, which he had to do to pay medic...
1936
27 September 1936
J.R.R. Tolkien to Aurelius Pompen
#79
Reverend Father Aurelius Pompen (Professor of English at the Catholic University of Nijmegen) had contacted Tolkien asking if the family could take in a...
1937
14 December 1937
J.R.R. Tolkien to Geoffrey E. Selby
#84
Tolkien apologizes for the delay in replying to Selby's November letter due to his poor health. He remarks that he prefers his own mythology which The H...
1938
19 Aug 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ida Gordon
#1127
Tolkien has been ill. He offers advice on Ida's financial situation after the death of her husband, E.V. Gordon.
31 August 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#37
Carpenter #33
Tolkien writes to Mr. Furth, expressing his current state of being oppressed and unwell due to recent troubles. He submits Farmer Giles for consideratio...
24 December 1938
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Kilbride
#110
Tolkien opens with news of the terrible year the family have had. Christopher has had a bad heart and in bad health the entire year. More than a dozen f...
1939
2 February 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#39
Carpenter #35
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien offers an update with his work on The Lord of the Rings. He has not worked on since December but feels it is a better wor...
10 February 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to C.A. Furth
#51
Carpenter #36
Writing to C.A. Furth, Tolkien expresses gratitude for the enclosed cheque for royalities for 1938 and an advance of the royalties from Houghton Mifflin...
15 September 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Phillip Unwin
#1376
Carpenter #36b
Tolkien updates Phillip Unwin on the current situation at universities given the news of war with Germany. He says there will be a reduced demand, but s...
19 December 1939
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#52
Carpenter #37
Tolkien, writing to Stanley Unwin, expresses gratitude for the kind note and apologizes for his neglectful correspondence due to personal and health iss...
1940
3 January 1940
J.R.R. Tolkien to The Society (R.W. Chapman)
#1170
Tolkien in a letter to The Society (addressed to Chapman) says he is not able to host The Society meeting and dinner as Exeter and Pembroke are not avai...
1941
12 January 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#57
Carpenter #42
To son Michael, Tolkien describes the dreary and busy time with foul weather, shares a humorous incident involving snuff at a pub, mentions committee wo...
18 March 1941
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#59
Carpenter #44
Identifying more with his Suffield heritage than his Tolkien name, Tolkien expresses a deep connection to Worcestershire, considering it "home" due to h...
1946
21 July 1946
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#251
Carpenter #105
Tolkien writes to Sir Stanley Unwin, who had just been knighted. He asked about Farmer Giles. And remarks on his progress to The Hobbit sequel among oth...
1948
18 January 1948
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.L.N. O'Loughlin
#132
Tolkien had received a parcel, he thanks O'Loughlin and confirms it arrived safely. Tolkien has been very busy and had flu recently, hence his delayed r...
1950
14 April 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Stanley Unwin
#294
Carpenter #127
Relations between Tolkien and Allen & Unwin had begun to become strained as Tolkien felt that A&U were not open to publishing his work as he would have ...
9 October 1950
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hugh Brogan
#1416
Carpenter #130a
Tolkien in a letter to Hugh Brogan gives him some updates on his health. He also says that “Drama” is a “bore”.
1953
24 June 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to George Sayer
#162
Tolkien opens this letter by immediately apologising for using his typewriter. He is having trouble with his hand and is resting it. George had asked To...
15 October 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to P.H. Newby
#1431
Carpenter #141a
Tolkien writes to P.H. Newby, giving details of his various health issues at present. He is suffering from laryngitis, lumbago, and sciatica. He still h...
2 December 1953
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1088
Writing to Miss Perry, Tolkien discusses the Lord of the Rings, hoping it will be published in the coming year. He has had ill health and has been very ...
1954
20 September 1954
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Perry
#1087
Tolkien opens by saying he has been ill or else would have replied to Miss Perry's letter of 10 August. He mentions a Mr. Lambert and that authors shoul...
1955
2 March 1955
J.R.R. Tolkien to Derrick Parnum
#199
Among various subjects, Tolkien mentions his health, which has been good, and the oddness of suggestioning gifts. He remarks that he was gifted a pair o...
1956
28 March 1956
J.R.R. Tolkien to Patricia Kirke
#242
Tolkien writes a letter explaining his current bad health and work load. He also remarks on his feelings about the changes that had recently been introd...
1957
5 August 1957
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jerome W. Archer
#325
Tolkien discusses an invitation to visit the Marquette University the following spring as well health issues. He had been obliged to cancel plans to tra...
1959
4 March 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1466
Carpenter #214b
Writing to his son Michael, Tolkien remarks on the state of their house, and Edith's recovery from a broken arm. He also talks about his recent health s...
19 May 1959
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dr. Zettersten
#344
Tolkien confirms that Ancrene Wisse is at the press and should be available soon but this all depends on how quickly he can get the proofs back to them....
1961
28 July 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Pamela Chandler
#693
Tolkien arranges to be photographed by Pamela Chandler.
15 November 1961
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jane Neave
#487
Tolkien has been asked to provide more poems to go with 'Tom Bombadil' as the book is too small according to GA&U. He notes that he believed a small vol...
1963
11 March 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to T. P. Dunning
#504
Tolkien apologises that Farmer Giles of Ham is only really "half a book", and mentions his and Edith's poor health.
6 April 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to My Dear People (Wilfrid and Nora)
#505
Tolkien writes to a couple that he met while on holiday. He and Edith have been ill and he considers their vacation to have been a disaster but says mee...
23 May 1963
J.R.R. Tolkien to Bruce Mitchell
#814
Tolkien discusses various matters on Beowulf. Extracts were published in Bruce Mitchell's book On Old English: Selected Papers and in The J.R.R. Tolkien...
1964
20-26 January 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski
#543
A reply to a sympathetic letter of Professor Przemyslaw Mroczkowski in Kraków. Tolkien hopes that his friend has recovered from an operation, though To...
6 June 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Sue Parman
#548
Tolkien replies to Sue Parman, who had adapted some of Tolkien's poetry to music and sent him a recording on tape.
15 July 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss J.L. Curry
#563
Tolkien writes about Walt Disney and then on the second and final page says that he has been ill and unable to work. He is now better. A quote from this...
10 August 1964
J.R.R. Tolkien to Carole Ward
#564
Tolkien is pleased that Ward enjoyed the book. He says he is against dramatizations of his works, especially The Lord of the Rings which he feels is too...
1965
29 December 1965
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rayner Unwin
#1486
Carpenter #282a
Tolkien shoots down any idea of a "Tolkien Award" by Ace Books, and suspects that this is just a way for them to make themselves feel better about denyi...
1966
10 February 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald A. Wollheim
#720
Tolkien writes and expresses his regret at his delayed reply. he had like many at that time been ill with influenza. He encloses two copies of the signe...
21 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#969
Tolkien writes to Swann, mentioning details about recital, press photographs, dinner afterwards, etc. Tolkien has laryngitis.
28 March 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Donald Swann
#970
Tolkien writes to Donald Swann who had visited the Tolkiens. He and Edith were unwell at the time. A copy of this letter is held at the Wade.
28 November 1966
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#900
Tolkien writes to Clyde S. Kilby making mention that he is pleased that Kilby has finally received the correct medication and says that he is yet to con...
1967
3 January 1967
Edith Tolkien to Pamela Chandler
#854
Edith writes thanking Pamela Chandler for writing. It is the Professor's 75th birthday and he has received many cards, letters, and telegrams. Chandler ...
5 January 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#901
Tolkien writes thanking Kilby for an article on Barzun and for sending a turkey.
2 February 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to William Ready
#1023
Writing to Willaim Ready, Tolkien states that he does not like being written about and will not provide information on his family and origins. He asks R...
11 October 1967
P.M. Jenkinson (Secretary) to Pamela Chandler
#757
Tolkien's secretary Phyllis Jenkinson writes to Pamela about her photos. Edith and her husband are ill and too tired to write immediately and will write...
25 October 1967
Edith Tolkien to Pamela Chandler
#858
Edith apologises for taking so long to reply but Tolkien has been very ill with a virus. he remains in bed. She remarks that she would like six of the s...
8 November 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#456
Tolkien apologises that his illness has made him look like Gollum and has interfered with work.
18 November 1967
Edith Tolkien to Pamela Chandler
#859
Edith thanks Pamela for her letter and remarks that she is happy that she is busy and has plenty of work. Tolkien, with much care is feeling much better...
24 November 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss [Karen C.] Walker
#758
Tolkien writes about the writer's grandfather, Paul Barbier. The address is incorrect on this letter, it should be Grosmont Haggs not Grosmont Maggs.
ca. 3 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#903
Carpenter #298a
In the Revised edition of Letters, there is brief extract where Tolkien talks about his serious health issues and complains about Joy Hill saying it was...
4 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Roger Verhulst
#746
Tolkien writes to Verhulst appreciatively about C.S. Lewis's Letters to an American Lady, a copy of which Verhulst had sent him.
5 December 1967
Edith Tolkien to Pamela Chandler
#860
Edith is delighted by the photographs and writes to thank Pamela for them. Tolkien is much better now, but easily becomes tired. Priscilla will be visit...
7 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Hans Jörg Modlmayr
#759
Tolkien apologizes for a secretarial letter, and says he cannot help with the matter of books for children, as he doesn't really like children's books a...
14 December 1967
J.R.R. Tolkien to Rosfrith Murray
#760
Tolkien sends Rosfrith a copy of the US version of his 'small tale'. He does not state the title, but it is very likely to be Smith of Wootton Major.
1968
June 26, 1968
Joy Hill to Colin Smythe
#362
On June 5th, Colin Smythe had replied to Tolkien, saying that he would be delighted to have a poem on Westernesse. This response sent back to Smythe was...
August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Ingrid Pridgeon
#736
Tolkien writes to Ingrid who lives at Spire Hollin. he gives her news of his health, he is recovering after breaking his leg in a fall down his stairs. ...
2 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Robert Havard
#805
Tolkien complains about how the movers took advantage of Edith's health and did a bad job, for example putting furniture in the wrong rooms. Tolkien him...
3 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#1024
Tolkien writes to Joy Hill during an enforced break in Bournmouth where he is resting with a broken leg.
7 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Ogden
#806
Tolkien writes asking how long he will have to remain in hospital as he has to return home on the 8th September. He says that there is no room available...
August 12, 1968
Joy Hill to Colin Smythe
#363
Smythe had written back to Tolkien on July 1 saying that he was sorry to hear about Tolkien's accident, and sending along a copy of his latest publicati...
August 12, 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Joy Hill
#2000
Tolkien writes to his secretary Joy Hill, addressing her as "Joy" for the first time here, previously using "Miss Hill". He is injured and staying at th...
30 August 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Alan Klass
#1500
Carpenter #305a
Tolkien says that between his recent injury and recover, Edith's health problems, and recently moving house, all his papers and other belongs are unorga...
25 September 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Maple & Co, Bournemouth
#737
Maple & Co were a furniture store in Bournemouth, Tolkien appears to have bought furniture from them but has not cleared out his library to allow the fu...
27 September 1968 (postmark)
J.R.R. Tolkien to Tony Hall
#213
Autograph letter signed, to Tony Hall explaining that he no longer lives in Oxford , describing an accident and subsequent treatment for injuries that h...
10 October 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn
#691
Tolkien is distressed at Mary Fairburn's situation and offers to financially help her. Mary Fairburn had sent Tolkien some illustrations to view, which ...
4 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn
#692
Letter to Mary Fairburn declining acquiring all of her pictures as he does not have wall space to hang them, but he is interested in her Mirror of Galad...
16 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Jonathan] Wordsworth
#1084
Tolkien writes about the loss of privacy and time due to his popularity, forcing him to leave Oxford, and precluding any need for a secretary.
19 November 1968
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Ogden
#1039
Tolkien discusses a recent leg injury and the kindness he received while in the hospital.
1969
3 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Bridget MacKenzie
#1130
Tolkien writes to the eldest daughter of Ida and E. V. Gordon. He has sent an autograph to friends of Bridget as requested, and mentions that he has mov...
6 January 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paula Coston (née Iley)
#726
Paula Coston had a long letter writing correspondence with Tolkien, only one sheet of her letters has been published.
18 February 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Boyd Hooper
#1082
Tolkien has received a tie from Boyd Hooper, the brother of Walter Hooper, and apologizes for taking so long to reply to say thank you. It was lost in t...
15 March 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Amy Ronald
#458
Tolkien offers profuse thanks for her gift of five bottles. He says that his health and his wife Edith's are not good. They are looking forward to Sprin...
10 April 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mrs. Mroczkowska
#809
Tolkien replies to Janina Mroczkowska, the wife of Tolkien's friend and professor, Przemyslaw Mroczkowski. He apologises for his lack of replying to Prz...
30 June 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Paul Bibire
#811
Tolkien writes about Cynewulf and Glanduin.
1 August 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Burrows
#729
Tolkien signs the dust-jacket of The Hobbit for Mr Burrows. Sold for £1300 at Bloomsbury Auctions Sale 614, 24th May 2007. Auction listing included a f...
14 August 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to [Rayner?] Unwin
#1032
Tolkien writes to Unwin (first name not noted) about his health. This letter was sold by Sotheby Parke Bernet in the Catalogue of Modern Literary Manusc...
31 December 1969
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood
#440
Tolkien wrote a letter to his cousin Dorothy (Ding) Wood. Among the subjects he discusses is his recent fall. Tolkien makes some mention of his name, fa...
1970
6 June 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1504
Carpenter #315a
Tolkien visited Nottingham with Rayner Unwin on 2nd May 1970. Tolkien received an Honorary D. Litt. Tolkien writes about a student demonstration that to...
14 December 1970
J.R.R. Tolkien to W.A.R. Hadley
#374
Tolkien describes that since his accident when he moved, he has been unable to leave his house overnight and that he would love to visit Canada and Sout...
1971
8 November 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Miss Morley
#824
Tolkien replies, thanking Miss Morley for her letter. It has arrived at his private address and mentions that he does not know how she has received that...
19 December 1971
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael Tolkien
#1510
Carpenter #331b
Tolkien has been ill and worried about where he is going to live, he is staying with family members while he decides on a permanent location to live.
1972
30 January 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Michael George Tolkien
#828
Tolkien writes to his grandson Michael George mentioning various problems such as health, his fans, and the press.
June 1972
William H. Tait to The editor, Old Edwardians Gazette
#992
William H. Tait, writing to the Old Edwardians Gazette offering a personal rememberance of a time around July 1909 when he, Tolkien and six others from ...
3 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Graham Tayar
#1048
Tolkien declines the invitation previously accepted due to ill health.
7 November 1972
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood
#448
Tolkien writes to inform Dorothy Wood that he is feeling much better.
1973
6 February 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to J.E. Cook & Mr. M. Roland
#836
Tolkien writes to confirm that he is happy to sign their books. He is unwell so cannot make any plans but to call at 21 Merton Street and he will see th...
24 February 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Jonathan Wordsworth
#838
Tolkien describes his health, regretting that he cannot accept an invitation to dine. Jonathan Fletcher Wordsworth (1932-2006) was an academic, literary...
8 March 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Clyde S. Kilby
#839
Carpenter #348a
Tolkien writes to Clyse S. Kilby regarding his health issues. Kilby remarks in his article 'Woodland Prisoner' from SEVEN Vol. 27 that this was the last...
?Late April 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Hodgson
#312
Tolkien writes to Mr Hodgson, who has asked for a hand-written version of the poem "The Road Goes Ever On and On". Tolkien apologizes for a delayed resp...
20 April 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Mr Higgins
#375
Tolkien writes to Mr Higgins and declines his invitation to be on a 'jury'. He talks about his frustrations with his health and that he is trying to sol...
24 June 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Dorothy Wood
#449
In this letter to Dorothy Wood, Tolkien mentions his poor health. He is not allowed to drink wine or heavy evening meals. Tolkien had earlier arranged f...
25 August 1973
J.R.R. Tolkien to Glyn Daniel
#844
Tolkien writes a letter of thanks for dinner with Professor Glyn Daniel in Cambridge. The letter is printed in J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography, pp. 256-7.
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