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

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All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

This guide is aimed at support those who wish to explore the rich world and life of J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien was a British author and scholar best known for his written works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. However, Tolkien was much more than just an author, he was twice a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University and a front line soldier in the First World War. The works of Tolkien span a wide range of disciplines and this guide has been developed to provide a starting point for individuals looking to discover more about this author. It contained information about this published books, it also contains a selection of resources that discuss various facets of Tolkien's work. You can also find links to movies that are related to Tolkien. In addition, I have contained information on how to access an interview with Professor Tolkien himself. 

This guide looks to explore Tolkien's rich contributions to literature and his scholarly accomplishments.

Instructions for using the guide

The guide is primarily split into four sections, Academic Work, Fantasy, Criticisms and Conversation, and Find Out More. Due to the nature of Tolkien's works there is some overlap. The History of Middle-Earth series of books is located in Fantasy due to their direct connection to the creation of Tolkien's Middle-Earth. Middle-English poems and translations are within the academic work section due to the complexity and academic intention. 

Finding Out More

The body of work produced by Tolkien has sparked many an academic debate and the practicality of listing all of the available criticisms and articles would be overwhelming. Check out the find out more section of the site to understand how to utilize databases to explore the many varies and conflicting responses to Tolkien's literacy legacy. This section includes searching strategies to help ensure you can find the materials you are searching for.