John Steinbeck in 1939 Born

Second World War



Merton College, where Tolkien was Professor of English Language and Literature (1945–1959)

In the run-up to the Second World War, Tolkien was earmarked as a codebreaker. In January 1939, he was asked to serve in the cryptographic department of the Foreign Office in the event of national emergency. Beginning on 27 March, he took an instructional course at the London HQ of the Government Code and Cypher School. He was informed in October that his services would not be required.^{[T 6][78]}

In 1945, Tolkien moved to Merton College, Oxford, becoming the Merton Professor of English Language and Literature,^[79] in which post he remained until his retirement in 1959. He served as an external examiner for University College, Dublin, for many years.^[80] In 1954 Tolkien received an honorary degree from the National University of Ireland (of which U.C.D. was a constituent college).^[81] Tolkien completed The Lord of the Rings in 1948, close to a decade after the first sketches.^[82]

Family

Main article: Tolkien family

The Tolkiens had four children: John Francis Reuel Tolkien (17 November 1917 – 22 January 2003), Michael Hilary Reuel Tolkien (22 October 1920 – 27 February 1984), Christopher John Reuel Tolkien (21 November 1924 – 16 January 2020) and Priscilla Mary Anne Reuel Tolkien (born 18 June 1929).^[83] Tolkien was very devoted to his children and sent them illustrated letters from Father Christmas when they were young.^[84]