Skip to Main Content

CIST Student Sandbox

IST 605: J.R.R. Tolkien and his works

Resources and information regarding J.R.R. Tolkien and his associated works.

The World of Middle-Earth

Tolkien is best known for his creation of Middle-Earth. He published many books that existed within this fiction world. It was through the invention of this world that we encounter creatures such as Orcs, Goblins, Dwarves, and of course Hobbits. Below is a collection of texts that Tolkien wrote about Middle-Earth. Posthumously Christopher Tolkien published the process, drafts and notes relating to the creation of this world which are included separately in The History of Middle Earth. For the purpose of this list I have only included first publications as there have been many reprints of the books. 

  • The Hobbit (published in 1937)
  • The Fellowship of the Ring; Being the First Part of the Lord of the Rings (published in 1954)
  • The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of the Lord of the Rings (published in 1954)
  • The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings (published in 1955)
  • The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (published in 1962)
  • The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle (Poems by J.R.R. Tolkien, sheet music by Donald Swann, published in 1967)
  • A Map of Middle-Earth (in collaboration with Pauline Baynes, published in 1970)
  • Bilbo's Last Song (published in 1974)
  • The Silmarillion (edited by Christopher Tolkien, posthumously published in 1977)
  • Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien (authored by Christopher Tolkien, illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien, published in 1979)