Life of J.R.R. Tolkien (Part I)

This lecture explores the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, his education, his religious upbringing, and his service in World War I. We also look at Tolkien's education in philology and later his role as professor at Oxford.

For the best books on Tolkien and his background check these out:

This is Lecture 10 in the course 'Lewis and Tolkienl'. All material is copyrighted.

[H]

"Here's a wizard being awesome." ...that was hilarious! Great lecture, thanks.

[CathDad]

This series/playlist as has been great. Of course, the dancing around his Catholic faith was something I was interested to see from a Protestant seminary. Overall, decently well handed given the scenario and audience.

[mikemessier]

Another wonderful lecture! I thank you Sir.

[anthonyrago]

The world of wonder in which good and evil are associated with the very form & substance of all things in the world is so profoundly biblical & Catholic. It's not a "mere Catholic" world. It's a Catholic "imagination" informed by sacraments & sacramentals. Tolkien was also quite attached to the Latin Mass. Go to such a liturgy or a Byzantine, Coptic, etc. liturgy to see how this "imagination" is cultivated in worship.

[KTChamberlain]

I thought Tolkien's younger brother was named Hilary Tolkien? Did he also go by Arthur in the sense of how Tolkien sometimes went by John Ronald or even Ronald or what?

[LusciousTwinkle]

It's just 'Sarhole Mill'... Not THE Sarhole Mill...

[LusciousTwinkle]

He was impoverished gentry... Never slumming it.... BTW its SHEE-Lob... Not Shay-lobe...