1. An overview of the book and author
The Hobbit
An overview of the book and author

2. The various covers

3. The Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Born 1882, South Africa
Moved to Britain as a boy
Developed an interest in fantasy, fairy tales, and languages
Became a professor of Anglo-Saxon and English Language and Literature at Oxford University

4. Tolkien’s life & interests
Fell in love at 16, but had to wait until he was done with school to pursue the relationship
Married Edith Mary Bratt
Served in WWI; became ill with trench fever

5. Tolkien’s life & interests
First real job: definitions for the OED
Became a professor at Oxford
Wrote stories for his 4 children
Member of the Inklings
Friend of C.S. Lewis & W.H. Auden

6. Forming The Hobbit
During exams grading wrote: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
Published in 1937
Designed early covers and maps
Possible influences:
World War I
Anglo-Saxons
Beowulf
Norse mythology

7. The Hobbit and its effects
Quickly became a bestseller
Tolkien’s publisher asked for a sequel
Tolkien submits The Silmarillion
The publisher asks for more hobbit stories
Tolkien pens The Lord of the Rings series
Tolkien edits The Hobbit

8. Changes to The Hobbit
In 1951, Tolkien adjusted the outcome of a riddle game in the book and Gollum’s personality
Tolkien uses a preface to explain the change as dishonesty on the part of Bilbo, a hobbit
In 1966, a 3rd edition of the book is released with edited narration

9. Other famous works
Translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, from Old English to contemporary English
“Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics”, a lecture on Beowulf
The Lord of the Rings trilogy

10. Trivia
As a child, Tolkien was bitten by a baboon spider, a type of tarantula
When his wife Edith died in 1971, he had “Luthien” added after her name on their gravestone. It means “blossom”
He had “Beren”, meaning “brave”, added after his name. Tolkien died in 1973, age 81.
In Tolkien’s legendarium, Beren is a warrior who falls in love with the elf Luthien.

11. The Hobbit and media 1977: animated 78-minute production
Made many changes from the text
Criticized by many for “poor animation”
Peter Jackson’s version
Three-part film