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J.R.R. Tolkien

(1892-1973), Anglo-Saxon scholar and writer

John Ronald Reuel ('J.R.R.') Tolkien

Sitter in 5 portraits
Graduated in Classics and English at Oxford, J.R.R Tolkien served at the Battle of the Somme and was invalided home with trench fever. He taught at Leeds University and was elected Professor of Anglo-Saxon (1925) and English Language and Literature (1945) at Oxford. Best known for his international bestsellers The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954-5) he also wrote scholarly publications including a study on Chaucer (1934) and an edition of Beowulf (1937). His later works include The Silmarillion (1977) presenting the mythological beginnings of Middle Earth and the posthumous Unfinished Tales (1980) edited and completed by his son Christopher.

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J.R.R. Tolkien

by Betty Swanwick
pencil and wash, 1966-1967
NPG 6145

J.R.R. Tolkien

by Lord Snowdon
vintage bromide print, 1972
NPG P843

J.R.R. Tolkien

by Pamela Chandler
modern bromide print from original negative, September 1961
NPG x88830

J.R.R. Tolkien

by Pamela Chandler
C-type colour print, September 1961
NPG x88898

J.R.R. Tolkien

by John Wyatt
bromide print, February 1968
NPG x26910

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J.R.R. Tolkien

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