J. R. R. Tolkien (leaning on vine) in 1914, during his undergraduate days at Exeter College of Oxford University. Photo credit; Exeter College, John Garth.
Exeter College of Oxford University has published a new booklet about the life of J. R. R. Tolkien as an undergraduate student in the college. John Garth, author of Tolkien and the Great War, wrote the 64-page booklet entitled Tolkien at Exeter College: How an Oxford undergraduate created Middle-earth.
Tolkien at Exeter College follows young Tolkien from peacetime into war, and relates how he first created his now famous world in 1914-1915. The booklet contains original sketches by Tolkien, some never seen before, as well as other archival material.
J. R. R. Tolkien around the time of his graduation from Exeter College in March 1916, in uniform. Photo credit: Exeter College, John Garth.
The booklet is currently available for purchase by Exeter alumni from Exeter College’s Development Office, for £8. The office may be reached by email at development@exeter.ox.ac.uk. The book will become available to non-alumni in the next few weeks. You can watch Middle-earth News and the Tolkien Society for updates about availability.
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Author: Valdis
Valdís is a classic nerd, with many geeky interests, but her life-long love of Tolkien rules them all. She was completely hooked the first time that she read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings at age 8. Since then, she has read the books at least once a year, and delves into Middle-earth at every opportunity with a fervor that would make any dwarf proud. She also deeply loves Peter Jackson’s films, and defends them staunchly when need arises.
When reality forces her out of Middle-earth, Valdís is a university professor, a wife, mother of two daughters, and servant to two cats.