J. R. R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien's son, Christopher, who edited and published much of his father's posthumous work, dies.

Edited by Christopher Tolkien, this unfinished story by J.R.R. Tolkien is published.

Edited by Verlyn Flieger, this work is published.

Edited by Christopher Tolkien, this unfinished poem is published.

Edited by Christopher Tolkien, this work is published.

J.R.R. Tolkien dies in Bournemouth, England.

Tolkien retires from his position as Merton Professor of English Language and Literature.

The third volume of 'The Lord of the Rings' is published.

The second volume of 'The Lord of the Rings' is published.

The first volume of 'The Lord of the Rings' is published.

'The Hobbit' is published to critical and popular acclaim.

Birth of J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien's daughter, Priscilla.

Tolkien becomes Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford.

Birth of J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien's third son, Christopher.

Birth of J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien's second son, Michael.

Birth of J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien's first son, John.

J.R.R. Tolkien marries Edith Bratt in Warwick, England.

Tolkien serves in the Lancashire Fusiliers during World War I.

Tolkien graduates from Exeter College, Oxford with a degree in Classics.

Tolkien begins studies at Exeter College, Oxford.

Death of Tolkien's mother, Mabel Tolkien.

Death of Tolkien's father, Arthur Tolkien, in South Africa.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is born in Bloemfontein, South Africa.