JRR Tolkien Day Timeline

1937

"The Hobbit"

"The Hobbit" is published

1938

A Beginning

After the success of "The Hobbit," Tolkien's publisher asks him to write more about hobbits. Tolkien warns them he writes slow.

1949

"The Lord of the Rings" Is Finished

Tolkien finishes "The Lord of the Rings"

1954

"The Lord of the Rings" Is Published

The book is published in three volumes, initially in the U.K. and then in the U.S.