Two Previously Unknown Letters From J.R.R. Tolkien Discovered By Volunteer At UK National Archives
A volunteer at The National Archives in Kew discovered two handwritten letters from writer J.R.R. Tolkien while preparing for the Tolkien Society’s upcoming event Tolkien Reading Day. The letters were composed in 1945, before Tolkien accepted a position at Merton College, Oxford, as a Professor of English Language and Literature.
The letters are to the British Council concerning funding for his research on the English language. A former student who shared Tolkien’s interest in English, Simonne d’Ardenne, is also mentioned.
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Visual Collections Team Manager at The National Archives, Sarah Castagnetti, said,
“These letters provide an intriguing new glimpse into Tolkien’s life and work, allowing us to hear from one of the world’s best-loved authors in his own voice and through his own handwriting. This discovery by one of our volunteers shows once again the enduring importance of archives and the windows they offer to the past.”
Source: Entender Ficcao
Tolkien Reading Day is on March 25 of each year since 2003 by the Tolkien Society to promote the life and works by participants reading favorited passages from the writer. The group decided on March 25 because, within Lord of the Rings canon, this date is when Sauron and Bardau-dûr had their downfall.
The newly discovered documents are at The National Archives amongst Tolkien’s other writings.
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