This Day in History September 21, 1937

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Hey, I finally get to talk about a book on this day in history!  Yes!  I have tried to before, but nothing interesting came up until this day's research.

John Ronald Reul (J.R.R.) Tolkien (1892-1973) was an Oxford professor who specialized in Old and Middle English.  He is also known for writing stories which have been made into movies, i.e., Lord of the Rings trilogy.  In fact, the story we celebrate today is currently being made into a film.

On this date in 1937, one of his best-known works was published--The Hobbit.  The writing of this story is quite a story in itself.  He had always been quite a storyteller--he told his children all sorts of bedtime stories. One day as he was marking exam papers, he noticed that a student had left an exam page blank.  For some unknown reason, Tolkien picked up a pen and wrote: "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit."  So of course he had to begin to investigate who the hobbit was and where he lived etc.  From this, he began to tell children the story of a hobbit.

In 1936, an incomplete manuscript of the story was brought to attention of an employee of a well-known publishing company.  He was asked to finish it, and when he read it to his 10-year-old son, and his son liked it.  And then it was published on this day in 1937.  And the rest is history.

I think I was first introduced to this story from an old 45 record album--a read-along storybook.  I used to love those.  I was an astounding reader--really I was--but it was nice to put on an album and follow along.  I can't remember how old I was when I finally picked up the book and read it.  I remember seeing the animated version, but again, I don't know how old I was.  I always was enamored with Gollum and Gandalf. I didn't really connect with Bilbo Baggins--why I couldn't tell you.

I loved the Lord of the Rings films, and hopefully the movie of this book will be good when it comes out.  I did learn that they are making two films based on the book.  I don't know when it will be out, but if you are interested, I will put the link to the official blog at the bottom of this post.

If you would like more information on J.R.R., check here.
If you are interested in the films, check here.