Gerontius Took

Gerontius Took
Hobbit
Biographical Information
Other names	Old Took
Location	Great Smials, Tuckborough
Birth	S.R. 1190
Death	S.R. 1320
Family
Parentage	Fortinbras Took I
Physical Description
Gender	Male
Gallery	Images of Gerontius Took

Gerontius Took (T.A. 2790 - 2920, died aged 130), also known as The Old Took because of his longevity, was a renowned Hobbit of the Shire.

History

Gerontius was the only son of Fortinbras Took I. Gerontius married Adamanta Chubb, who gave birth to twelve children:

• Isengrim III 1232 – 1330
• Hildigard 1235 – 1255
• Isumbras IV 1238 – 1339
• Hildigrim 1240 – 1341
• Isembold 1242 – 1346
• Hildifons 1244 – ?
• Isembard 1247 – 1346
• Hildibrand 1249 – 1334
• Belladonna 1252 – 1334 (Bilbo's mother)
• Donnamira 1256 – 1348
• Mirabella 1260 – 1360
• Isengar 1262 – 1360

In T.A. 2848 after the death of his father, Gerontius became the twenty-sixth Thain of the Shire. He was a friend of Gandalf the wizard, who gave him a pair of magic diamond studs, and Gerontius loved his magic fireworks, too. Gerontius Took reached the impressive age of 130, which made him the second oldest Hobbit (after Bilbo), that ever lived.

Etymology

The word element geron is Greek for old. The name Gerontius was not used because of the Hobbit's age, but because of his numerous and younger relatives.

Gerontius was also a Latin name of the Late Roman Empire, and is one of the very few Greco-Latin names appearing in Tolkiennymy. Perhaps it represents a Hobbitish name derived from Elvish.

References

• J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
• J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Took of Great Smials"
• Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull (eds.), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, page 54

Preceded by: Fortinbras Took I

26th Thain of The Shire S.R. 1248 - 1320

Followed by: Isengrim Took III