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{{author infobox
{{author infobox
| image=[[IMAGE:mitchison.jpg]]
| image=[[File:Naomi Mitchison.jpg|250px]]
| name=Naomi Mitchison
| name=Naomi Mitchison
| born=[[November 1]], [[1897]]
| born=[[1 November|November 1]], [[1897]]
| died=[[January 11]], [[1999]]
| died=[[11 January|January 11]], [[1999]]
| education=Oxford University
| education=Oxford University
| occupation=Novelist, poet
| occupation=Novelist, poet
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|}}
|}}


'''Naomi Mary Margaret Mitchison''' ([[November 1]], [[1897]] – [[January 11]], [[1999]]) was a Scottish novelist and poet.
'''Naomi Mary Margaret Mitchison''' ([[1 November|November 1]], [[1897]] – [[11 January|January 11]], [[1999]]) was a Scottish novelist and poet.


==History==
==History==
Mitchison was educated in Oxford, and contributed verse to ''[[Oxford Poetry]]'' for 1915 and 1916 (in the former, in company with [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s "[[Goblin Feet]]"). Eventually, she became a prolific writer of books and articles, including ''Graeme and the Dragon'' (1954, illustrated by [[Pauline Baynes]]) and ''[[To the Chapel Perilous]]'' (1955, which Tolkien disliked).<ref name=RG/>
Mitchison was educated in Oxford, and contributed verse to ''[[Oxford Poetry]]'' for [[1915]] and [[1916]] (in the former, in company with [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s "[[Goblin Feet]]"). Eventually, she became a prolific writer of books and articles, including ''Graeme and the Dragon'' ([[1954]], illustrated by [[Pauline Baynes]]) and ''[[To the Chapel Perilous]]'' ([[1955]], which Tolkien disliked).<ref name=RG/>


For many years, Mitchison was a fan of Tolkien's works, and they had a long-time correspondance. She became a proofreader of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' when [[George Allen and Unwin|George Allen & Unwin]] sent her advance proofs of the first two volumes. Of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Mitchison wrote "It is timeless and will go on".<ref>Quoted by D.M.S. in "Recent Readings", in the journal ''English'' 1956, 11, p. 31</ref>
For many years, Mitchison was a fan of Tolkien's works, and they had a long-time correspondance. She became a proofreader of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' when [[George Allen and Unwin|George Allen & Unwin]] sent her advance proofs of the first two volumes. Of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Mitchison wrote "It is timeless and will go on".<ref>Quoted by D.M.S. in "Recent Readings", in the journal ''English'' 1956, 11, p. 31</ref> Upon the release of the volume, she wrote the article "One Ring to Bind Them" in ''[[Wikipedia:New Statesman|New Statesman and Nation]]'' ([[18 September]] [[1954]]) reviewing the book. Although she criticised some vague aspects, and scientific uncertainties of the Secondary World, she praised its geographic, cultural, historical and linguistic depth.<ref>Quoted in {{HM|RC}}, p. xxxvi</ref>


However, later in life she became increasingly critical of Tolkien's works, critizing the "grandiose style" of ''[[The Return of the King]]'' and the lack of a feminine perspective in ''The Lord of the Rings'' and finding ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' simplistic.<ref name=RG>{{CG|RG}}, pp. 592-3</ref>
However, later in life she became increasingly critical of Tolkien's works, critizing the "grandiose style" of ''[[The Return of the King]]'' and the lack of a feminine perspective in ''The Lord of the Rings'' and finding ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' simplistic.<ref name=RG>{{CG|RG}}, pp. 592-3</ref>
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** "One Ring to Bind Them" [Review of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']
** "One Ring to Bind Them" [Review of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']
* [[1967]]: ''Glasgow Herald'', 25 November
* [[1967]]: ''Glasgow Herald'', 25 November
** "Why Note Grown-ups Too?" [Review of ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]'']
** "Why Not Grown-ups Too?" [Review of ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]'']
* [[1977]]: ''Books and Bookmen'', October
* [[1977]]: ''Books and Bookmen'', October
** "Maps of Middle Earth" [Review of ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'' and ''[[The Silmarillion]]'']
** "Maps of Middle Earth" [Review of ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]'' and ''[[The Silmarillion]]'']
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*[[Letter 176]]
*[[Letter 176]]
*[[Letter 220]]
*[[Letter 220]]
*[[Letter 220a]]


==External links==
==External links==


*{{WP|Naomi Mitchinson}}
*{{WP|Naomi Mitchison}}
*[http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=234325&PID=7067744 Discussion of Naomi Mitchinson on Lord of the Rings Fanatics Forum]
*[http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=234325&PID=7067744 Discussion of Naomi Mitchison on Lord of the Rings Fanatics Forum]


{{references}}
{{references}}
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[[Category:Tolkien criticism|Mitchison, Naomi]]
[[Category:Tolkien criticism|Mitchison, Naomi]]
[[Category:People by name|Mitchison, Naomi]]
[[Category:People by name|Mitchison, Naomi]]
[[de:Naomi Mitchison]]
[[fi:Naomi Mitchison]]

Latest revision as of 14:29, 1 December 2023

Naomi Mitchison.jpg
Naomi Mitchison
Biographical information
BornNovember 1, 1897
DiedJanuary 11, 1999
EducationOxford University
OccupationNovelist, poet

Naomi Mary Margaret Mitchison (November 1, 1897January 11, 1999) was a Scottish novelist and poet.

History[edit | edit source]

Mitchison was educated in Oxford, and contributed verse to Oxford Poetry for 1915 and 1916 (in the former, in company with J.R.R. Tolkien's "Goblin Feet"). Eventually, she became a prolific writer of books and articles, including Graeme and the Dragon (1954, illustrated by Pauline Baynes) and To the Chapel Perilous (1955, which Tolkien disliked).[1]

For many years, Mitchison was a fan of Tolkien's works, and they had a long-time correspondance. She became a proofreader of The Lord of the Rings when George Allen & Unwin sent her advance proofs of the first two volumes. Of The Fellowship of the Ring, Mitchison wrote "It is timeless and will go on".[2] Upon the release of the volume, she wrote the article "One Ring to Bind Them" in New Statesman and Nation (18 September 1954) reviewing the book. Although she criticised some vague aspects, and scientific uncertainties of the Secondary World, she praised its geographic, cultural, historical and linguistic depth.[3]

However, later in life she became increasingly critical of Tolkien's works, critizing the "grandiose style" of The Return of the King and the lack of a feminine perspective in The Lord of the Rings and finding The Silmarillion simplistic.[1]

Bibliography, selected[edit | edit source]

Articles[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: II. Reader's Guide, pp. 592-3
  2. Quoted by D.M.S. in "Recent Readings", in the journal English 1956, 11, p. 31
  3. Quoted in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. xxxvi