The Tolkien Society: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
(Added list of Smials)
m (→‎List of Chairmen: Corrected)
(68 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:TS_logo_colour.gif|thumb|''The Tolkien Society'' logo.<br/><br/>Copyright © The Tolkien Society/ Helen Armstrong - all rights reserved]]
{{company infobox
'''The Tolkien Society''' is a [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] Society and registered educational charity (number 273809) based in the U.K., but with members in at least 40 different countries throughout the world. They publish the [[Amon Hen journal]] six times a year and the more scholarly [[Mallorn journal]] once a year.
| name=
| image=[[File:The Tolkien Society - logo.png|250px]]
| founded=6 November 1969 (informal)<ref name="Mallorn50">[[Charles E. Noad]], "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in [[Henry Gee]] (ed.) ''[[Mallorn 50]]'', p. 17</ref><br/>15 January 1972 (formal)<br/>7 July 1977 (charitable status)<ref name="CC">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=273809&SubsidiaryNumber=0|articlename=Charity framework - The Tolkien Society|dated=|website=[http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ The Charity Commission]|accessed=30 June 2012}}</ref>
| founder=[[Vera Chapman]]
| location=England
| type=Educational charity, fan club, academic society
| keypeople=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (President)<br/>[[Priscilla Tolkien]] (Vice-President)<br/>[Shaun Gunner]] (Chairman)
| members=752<ref name="AH238">[[Alex Lewis]], "Behind Glass Doors" in [[Andrew Butler]] (ed.), ''[[Amon Hen 238]]'', p. 19</ref>
| subsidiaries=Tolkien Society Trading Ltd
| products=''[[Mallorn (journal)|Mallorn]]''<br/>''[[Amon Hen (journal)|Amon Hen]]''<br/>''[[Quettar]]''
| parent=
| owner=
| precededby=
| succeededby=
| website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org www.tolkiensociety.org]
}}
'''The Tolkien Society''' is an international fan club and educational charity based in England. Founded in [[1969]] with the blessing of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], it has expanded its membership across the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.  


The Tolkien Society was formed in 1969 by Vera Chapman, an Oxford-educated retired teacher/civil servant, who, horrified at the annexation of Tolkien's works by "hippies and drop-outs" decided to form a group dedicated to the true appreciation of Tolkien's works.
==History==
The Tolkien Society was formed in 1969 by [[Vera Chapman]], an [[University of Oxford|Oxford]]-educated retired teacher/civil servant, who, horrified at the annexation of Tolkien's works by 'the drugs-orientated writings of hippiedom',<ref>[[Charles Noad|Charles E. Noad]], 'The Early Days of the Tolkien Society', [[A Long-expected Party: Progress Report 1|''A Long-expected Party: Progress Report'' 1]], p. 10</ref> decided to form a group dedicated to the true appreciation of Tolkien's works.


Initially London-based, the Society would meet in Vera's North London Flat; they kept in communication via a xerox'd newsletter called "Belladonna's Broadsheet" ( Vera adopted the name 'Belladonna Took' as her Middle-earth alias)
On [[6 November]] [[1969]], Chapman announced the formation of the Tolkien Society in the United Kingdom in the ''New Statesman''.<ref name="CGII">{{CG|II}}, p. 287</ref> Initially London-based, the Society would meet in Chapman's North London flat; they kept in communication via a photocopied newsletter called ''[[Belladonna's Broadsheet]]'' (Chapman had adopted the name "[[Belladonna Took]]" as her Middle-earth alias), which was first published in December 1969.<ref name="CGII"/> The Society's inaugural meeting was held in January [[1970]],<ref name="CGII"/> and its constitution was ratified on [[15 January]] [[1972]].


The Society grew steadily, and Vera willingly passed over responsibility for the bulletin to other hands.  A further, more scholarly, publication "Mallorn" also appeared.
The Tolkien Society grew steadily, and Chapman willingly passed over responsibility for the bulletin to other hands whilst a more scholarly publication, "[[Mallorn (journal)|Mallorn]]" also appeared. ''Belladonna's Broadsheet'' went through a number of identity changes, being "Henneth Annun" for one issue before its then editor, John Martin, adopted its current name: "[[Amon Hen (journal)|Amon Hen]]".


Belladonna's Broadsheet went through a number of identity changes, being "Henneth Annun" for one issue before its then editor, John Martin, adopted the name it is still published under: "Amon Hen" (the first such being number 2).  
The Society also undertook a pilgrimage to [[Oxford]], exploring the colleges and sites relevant to J.R.R. Tolkien's life. Visit was made to [[Wolvercote Cemetery]] where wreaths in tribute were laid. At that first visit, it was found that a wild bramble had rooted in the topsoil of the grave. This was rapidly uprooted, and the Society offered to buy a rose plant, the offer of which [[Priscilla Tolkien]] - Tolkien's only daughter - accepted. The weekend event culminated with a visit to the home of Priscilla Tolkien.


The Society also undertook a pilgrimage to Oxford, exploring the colleges and sites relevant to J.R.R. Tolkien's life. Visit was made to Wolvercote Cemetery where wreaths in tribute were laid. At that first visit, it was found that a wild bramble had rooted in the topsoil of the grave. This was rapidly uprooted, and the Society offered to buy a rose plant, the offer of which Priscilla Tolkien - JRRT's only daughter - accepted. The weekend event culminated with a visit to the home of Priscilla Tolkien.
==Relations with J.R.R. Tolkien==
In 1972 [[wikipedia:New Year Honours|New Year Honours]], Tolkien was made a [[Wikipedia:Order of the British Empire|C.B.E.]] (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) just two days before his birthday. [[Allen and Unwin|Allen & Unwin]] had encouraged the Tolkien Society to write to Tolkien on the occasion, and they sent the following telegram:


This "[[Oxonmoot]]" grew to be an annual event, and in subsequent years other members of the Tolkien family, including two of the Professor's sons: Fr John, the Catholic priest, and Michael, a teacher based in Lancashire, also met with Society members.
{{blockquote|CONGRATULATIONS ON 80TH BIRTHDAY AND HONOUR. ANOTHER 50 YEARS TO BEAT THE OLD TOOK.<BR/>THE TOLKIEN SOCIETY (IN BRITAIN)|The Tolkien Society's telegram to J.R.R. Tolkien<ref name="Mallorn50-21">[[Charles E. Noad]], "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in [[Henry Gee]] (ed.) ''[[Mallorn 50]]'', p. 21</ref>}}


Other annual events include the AGM & Annual Dinner (with Guest Speaker), held as part of a weekend of activities in the Spring in a different UK town or city each year, and the Seminar, presenting a programme of talks on a Tolkien-related subject, in the Summer.
The Society also published a congratulatory message in ''The Times'' on the [[3 January]] in the 'BIRTHDAYS' section: "''TOLKIEN. Professor J. R. R. Tolkien, C.B.E. Congratulations on your 80th birthday. 'Elen sila lumenn' omentielmo.' The Tolkien Society.''" As a birthday present, the Society also sent him a green china tobacco jar - designed with a huntsman and a white deer - which included best Latakia Mixture tobacco; attached was the following note:


Vera Chapman was invited to a lunch by [[Rayner Unwin]] (of the original publishers George Allen & Unwin) where she met JRRT. At the lunch she invited him to become President of the Society, and also presented him with a handsome tobacco jar, filled with his favourite leaf.
{{blockquote|FROM all Hobbits, Elves, Elf-friends, Dwarves, Ents, Numenoreans, Rohirrim, etc. etc. etc. of the TOLKIEN SOCIETY (in Britain) with love and honour and hearty congratulations, to the creator of so much wonder. Although not to be compared with the true LONGBOTTOM LEAF, we hope that this will at least raise a few smoke-rings of happy recollection.<br/>THE TOLKIEN SOCIETY|The Tolkien Society's message to J.R.R. Tolkien on his birthday<ref name="Mallorn50-21"/>}}


JRRT graciously agreed to the presidency of the Society; on his death, the other family members who were in touch with the Society suggested that he remain Honorary President "in perpetuo" and this was gladly accepted by the Society, with Priscilla Tolkien becoming Honorary Vice President.
[[Joy Hill]], Tolkien's secretary, phoned Vera Chapman on the 3 January and said, "''Of all the tributes he received, this was the one that gave the greatest pleasure.''"<ref name="Mallorn50-21"/> A month later, [[Vera Chapman and the Tolkien Society 6 February 1972|he wrote to her]]:


==Smials==
{{blockquote|Dear Mrs. Chapman,<br/>May I thank you and the Tolkien Society for your good wishes and kind gift on my 80th birthday. I appreciated your generosity very much indeed.<br/>Best wishes,<br/>Yours sincerely,<br/>J.R.R. Tolkien [signed]|[[Vera Chapman and the Tolkien Society 6 February 1972|Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Vera Chapman]], dated [[6 February]] [[1972]]<ref name="Mallorn50-21"/>}}
* '''1420''' - A postal group for those interested in the drinks of Middle-earth. Publishes The Morning After (about 3-4 times a year).
 
* '''Amon Hen''' - San Jose del Cabo, B.C.S. Mexico
===President===
* '''Amon Sûl''' - Halifax and area.
On the [[27 June]] [[1972]], Vera Chapman was invited to a sherry party by [[Rayner Unwin]], where she met Tolkien himself. After exchanging a few words with him about the [[Belladonna Took|belladonna]] plant, she asked if he would would be willing to be the Society's honorary president; he said "''Certainly''" before concluding, "''If I can help your society in any way, I will''."<ref name="Mallorn50-22">[[Charles E. Noad]], "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in [[Henry Gee]] (ed.) ''[[Mallorn 50]]'', p. 22</ref>
* '''Andúnië''' - Atlanta, Georgia USA based group.
 
* '''Armari''' - A postal group with no defined focus; which can be very tongue in cheek, good sense of humour required! Publishes Gondtengwen (about once a year at present).
Following the death of J.R.R. Tolkien on [[2 September]] [[1973]], the Tolkien Society offered the post of Honorary President to [[Christopher Tolkien]], Tolkien's son, but Christopher declined saying he thought the his father should remain president forever. At the [[wiktionary:AGM|AGM]] on [[16 February]] [[1974]] the motion was passed that J.R.R. Tolkien should remain the Honorary President ''in perpetuo''; he remains the Society's president to this day.<ref name="Mallorn50-23">[[Charles E. Noad]], "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in [[Henry Gee]] (ed.) ''[[Mallorn 50]]'', p. 23</ref>
* '''Brandy Hall''' - Cologne (Köln) and Hessen, Germany - also a smial of Deutsche Tolkien Gesellschaft.
 
* '''The Burrahobbits''' - Local group in Wisconsin, USA.
==List of Chairmen==
* '''Cerin Amroth''' - Local group in Indiana, USA.
The following is a list of chairmen of The Tolkien Society. ''Italic text'' indicates an acting chairman who was appointed, rather than elected.
* '''Far Westfarthing''' - Local group in Illinois, USA.
 
* '''The Golden Perch''' - Telford based, with some postal members.
<table class="TGtable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0 auto;"><tr><th style="background: #F2E6CE;"> </th><th style="background: #F2E6CE;">Name</th><th style="background: #F2E6CE;" colspan="2">Term of office</th><th style="background: #F2E6CE;">Duration</th></tr>
* '''The Grey Company''' - Newport, Pontypool and valleys of South Wales.
<tr><td> </td><td>''[[Vera Chapman]]''</td><td align="center">''29 January 1970''</td><td align="center">''20 November 1970''</td><td align="right">''296 days''</td></tr>
* '''HEREN HYARMENO''' (The Order of the South) - This is the oldest existing smial in the Southern Hemisphere, founded on 19 March 1989. It is based in São Paulo, Brasil.
<tr><td> </td><td>''[[Keith Bridges]]''</td><td align="center">''20 November 1970''</td><td align="center">''15 January 1972''</td><td align="right">''1 year, 57 days''</td></tr>
* '''Heren Istarion'' - Local group in New York City, USA.
<tr><td>1</td><td>'''[[Keith Bridges]]'''</td><td align="center">16 January 1972</td><td align="center">17 February 1973</td><td align="right">1 year, 32 days</td></tr>
* '''Isengard''' - Birmingham area.
<tr><td>2</td><td>'''[[Hartley Patterson]]'''</td><td align="center">18 February 1973</td><td align="center">16 February 1974</td><td align="right">363 days</td></tr>
* '''Khand''' - Postal; once based in Saudi Arabia, now in Shropshire.
<tr><td>3</td><td>'''[[Jonathan Simons]]'''</td><td align="center">17 February 1974</td><td align="center">13 April 1985</td><td align="right">11 years, 56 days</td></tr>
* '''Lays of Leithian''' - A smial of Unquendor, the Dutch Tolkien Society. Local and postal.
<tr><td>4</td><td>'''[[Brin Dunsire]]'''</td><td align="center">14 April 1985</td><td align="center">16 April 1988</td><td align="right">3 years, 2 days</td></tr>
* '''Lómelindi''' - Local group in Tennessee, USA.
<tr><td>5</td><td>'''[[Alex Lewis]]'''</td><td align="center">17 April 1988</td><td align="center">11 April 1992</td><td align="right">3 years, 360 days</td></tr>
* '''Minas Tirith''' (The Cambridge Tolkien Society) - Cambridge and surrounding area. Publishes Anor (3 editions a year).
<tr><td>6</td><td>'''[[Amanda Campbell|Amanda Fingleson]]'''</td><td align="center">12 April 1992</td><td align="center">20 April 1996</td><td align="right">4 years, 9 days</td></tr>
* '''Mundeli Sernieva'' - Central England. Publishes Mundo (about 4 a year).
<tr><td>7</td><td>'''[[Chris Crawshaw]]'''</td><td align="center">21 April 1996</td><td align="center">19 April 2008</td><td align="right">11 years, 364 days</td></tr>
* '''Nigglings''' - A postal smial focusing on Middle-earth based fiction and sub-creation.
<tr><td>8</td><td>'''[[Matthew Vernon]]'''</td><td align="center">20 April 2008</td><td align="center">8 January 2009</td><td align="right">264 days</td></tr>
* '''Northfarthing''' - London and home counties - the oldest in the Society and essentially the founding smial.
<tr><td> </td><td>''[[Sally Kennett]]''</td><td align="center">''8 January 2009''</td><td align="center">''25 April 2009''</td><td align="right">''107 days''</td></tr>
* '''Rivendell''' - Grimsby, Louth and Lincoln area.
<tr><td>'''9'''</td><td>'''[[Sally Kennett]]'''</td><td align="center">26 April 2009</td><td  align="center">20 April 2013</td><td align="right">3 years, 360 days</td></tr>
* '''The Shire''' - Coventry area.
<tr style="background:#99FF99"><td>'''10'''</td><td>'''[[Shaun Gunner]]'''</td><td align="center">'''21 April 2013'''</td><td align="center">'''present'''</td><td align="right">'''1 year, {{#expr: {{#time: z}} - 109}} days</td></tr>
* '''Southfarthing''' - Southampton area.
</table>
* '''Taruithorn''' (The Oxford Tolkien Society) - Oxford & Aylesbury. Publishes Miruvor (3 editions a year).
 
* '''Taruithorn International''' - The postal smial for those no longer in Oxford.
==Publications==
* '''Tol Andúnë''' - Oahu, Hawaii.
The Tolkien Society publishes two regular publications:
* '''Tol Harndor''' - Australasia & South Pacific postal.
*''[[Amon Hen (journal)|Amon Hen]]'' is the bulletin of the Society and is published six times a year.<ref name="Amon">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ts_info/amonhen.html|articlename=Amon Hen - The bulleting of the Tolkien Society|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
* '''Turin''' - Northern Italy, with an interest in Tolkien inspired art.
*''[[Mallorn (journal)|Mallorn]]'' is the journal of the Society and is currently published once a year, in the Spring.<ref name="Mallorn">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ts_info/mallorn.html|articlename=Mallorn - The Journal of the Tolkien Society|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
* '''Vinyamar''' - Local group in British Columbia, Canada.
*''[[Quettar]]'' was the journal of the Linguistic Fellowship of The Tolkien Society.
* '''Westemnet''' - A cyberspace smial for the West Country.
 
* '''Misty Mountains''' - Denver, Colorado.
==Events==
The Tolkien Society organises the following events each year:
*'''[[Birthday Toast|The Birthday Toast]]''' is held on [[3 January]] (Tolkien's birthday) every year. The Society encourages Tolkien fans from across the world to toast the Professor at 9pm wherever they are.
*'''[[Tolkien Reading Day]]''', held annually on [[25 March]], is an international event which promotes the reading of Tolkien's works.
*'''The Annual General Meeting''' (AGM) involves a meeting where formal business (with regard to the running of the Tolkien Society) is discussed, followed by a semi-formal dinner with a guest speaker. It is held each Spring.<ref name="AGM">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/agm/|articlename=About The Annual General Meeting|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
*'''The Seminar''' is an event which consists of a programme of talks on a Tolkien-related theme. It is held most summers (around June or July).<ref name="Seminar">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/seminar/|articlename=Seminar home page|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
*'''[[Oxonmoot]]''' is a convention held at an Oxford college on the weekend closest to [[22 September]], [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]'s birthday.<ref name="Oxonmoot">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/oxon/|articlename=Oxonmoot index page|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
 
The Tolkien Society also organises large conferences in order to celebrate an anniversary around J.R.R. Tolkien and/or his works. Past events:
*'''[[J.R.R. Tolkien Centenary Conference|The J.R.R. Tolkien Centenary Conference]]''' was held at Keble College (in [[Oxford]], England) in [[1992]]. It celebrated the centenary of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s birth. It was organised in conjunction with the [[Mythopoeic Society]] and was a combination of Oxonmoot 1992 and Mythcon XXIII.<ref name="Centenary">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/1992/index.html|articlename=Tolkien Centenary Conference 1992|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
*'''[[Tolkien 2005|Tolkien 2005: The Ring Goes Ever On]]''' was held at Aston University (in Birmingham, England) in [[2005]]. It celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the complete publication of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref name="Tolkien2005">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/2005/about.html|articlename=About Tolkien 2005|website=[http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ The Tolkien Society]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
*'''[[The Return of the Ring|The Return of the Ring: Celebrating Tolkien in 2012]]''' was held at Loughborough University (in Leicestershire, England) in [[2012]]. It celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the publication of ''[[The Hobbit]]''.<ref name="Return">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.returnofthering.org/index.php|articlename=The Return of the Ring - Celebrating Tolkien in 2012|website=[http://www.returnofthering.org/ The Return of the Ring]|accessed=07-August-2012}}</ref>
 
{{References}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.tolkiensociety.org Official website]
* '''[http://www.tolkiensociety.org Official website]'''
* [http://twitter.com/TolkienSociety Twitter feed]
* [http://www.facebook.com/TheTolkienSociety Facebook page]
* [http://www.facebook.com/groups/TheTolkienSociety.EducationalCharity/ Facebook group]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Tolkien Society}}
[[Category:British organizations]]
[[Category:Tolkien Societies]]
[[Category:Tolkien Societies]]
[[Category:The Tolkien Society| ]]

Revision as of 21:21, 21 April 2014

The Tolkien Society - logo.png
Founded6 November 1969 (informal)[1]
15 January 1972 (formal)
7 July 1977 (charitable status)[2]
FounderVera Chapman
LocationEngland
TypeEducational charity, fan club, academic society
Key peopleJ.R.R. Tolkien (President)
Priscilla Tolkien (Vice-President)
[Shaun Gunner]] (Chairman)
Members752[3]
SubsidiariesTolkien Society Trading Ltd
ProductsMallorn
Amon Hen
Quettar
Websitewww.tolkiensociety.org

The Tolkien Society is an international fan club and educational charity based in England. Founded in 1969 with the blessing of J.R.R. Tolkien, it has expanded its membership across the United Kingdom, Europe and the world.

History

The Tolkien Society was formed in 1969 by Vera Chapman, an Oxford-educated retired teacher/civil servant, who, horrified at the annexation of Tolkien's works by 'the drugs-orientated writings of hippiedom',[4] decided to form a group dedicated to the true appreciation of Tolkien's works.

On 6 November 1969, Chapman announced the formation of the Tolkien Society in the United Kingdom in the New Statesman.[5] Initially London-based, the Society would meet in Chapman's North London flat; they kept in communication via a photocopied newsletter called Belladonna's Broadsheet (Chapman had adopted the name "Belladonna Took" as her Middle-earth alias), which was first published in December 1969.[5] The Society's inaugural meeting was held in January 1970,[5] and its constitution was ratified on 15 January 1972.

The Tolkien Society grew steadily, and Chapman willingly passed over responsibility for the bulletin to other hands whilst a more scholarly publication, "Mallorn" also appeared. Belladonna's Broadsheet went through a number of identity changes, being "Henneth Annun" for one issue before its then editor, John Martin, adopted its current name: "Amon Hen".

The Society also undertook a pilgrimage to Oxford, exploring the colleges and sites relevant to J.R.R. Tolkien's life. Visit was made to Wolvercote Cemetery where wreaths in tribute were laid. At that first visit, it was found that a wild bramble had rooted in the topsoil of the grave. This was rapidly uprooted, and the Society offered to buy a rose plant, the offer of which Priscilla Tolkien - Tolkien's only daughter - accepted. The weekend event culminated with a visit to the home of Priscilla Tolkien.

Relations with J.R.R. Tolkien

In 1972 New Year Honours, Tolkien was made a C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) just two days before his birthday. Allen & Unwin had encouraged the Tolkien Society to write to Tolkien on the occasion, and they sent the following telegram:

CONGRATULATIONS ON 80TH BIRTHDAY AND HONOUR. ANOTHER 50 YEARS TO BEAT THE OLD TOOK.
THE TOLKIEN SOCIETY (IN BRITAIN)
—The Tolkien Society's telegram to J.R.R. Tolkien[6]

The Society also published a congratulatory message in The Times on the 3 January in the 'BIRTHDAYS' section: "TOLKIEN. Professor J. R. R. Tolkien, C.B.E. Congratulations on your 80th birthday. 'Elen sila lumenn' omentielmo.' The Tolkien Society." As a birthday present, the Society also sent him a green china tobacco jar - designed with a huntsman and a white deer - which included best Latakia Mixture tobacco; attached was the following note:

FROM all Hobbits, Elves, Elf-friends, Dwarves, Ents, Numenoreans, Rohirrim, etc. etc. etc. of the TOLKIEN SOCIETY (in Britain) with love and honour and hearty congratulations, to the creator of so much wonder. Although not to be compared with the true LONGBOTTOM LEAF, we hope that this will at least raise a few smoke-rings of happy recollection.
THE TOLKIEN SOCIETY
—The Tolkien Society's message to J.R.R. Tolkien on his birthday[6]

Joy Hill, Tolkien's secretary, phoned Vera Chapman on the 3 January and said, "Of all the tributes he received, this was the one that gave the greatest pleasure."[6] A month later, he wrote to her:

Dear Mrs. Chapman,
May I thank you and the Tolkien Society for your good wishes and kind gift on my 80th birthday. I appreciated your generosity very much indeed.
Best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
J.R.R. Tolkien [signed]
Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Vera Chapman, dated 6 February 1972[6]

President

On the 27 June 1972, Vera Chapman was invited to a sherry party by Rayner Unwin, where she met Tolkien himself. After exchanging a few words with him about the belladonna plant, she asked if he would would be willing to be the Society's honorary president; he said "Certainly" before concluding, "If I can help your society in any way, I will."[7]

Following the death of J.R.R. Tolkien on 2 September 1973, the Tolkien Society offered the post of Honorary President to Christopher Tolkien, Tolkien's son, but Christopher declined saying he thought the his father should remain president forever. At the AGM on 16 February 1974 the motion was passed that J.R.R. Tolkien should remain the Honorary President in perpetuo; he remains the Society's president to this day.[8]

List of Chairmen

The following is a list of chairmen of The Tolkien Society. Italic text indicates an acting chairman who was appointed, rather than elected.

NameTerm of officeDuration
Vera Chapman29 January 197020 November 1970296 days
Keith Bridges20 November 197015 January 19721 year, 57 days
1Keith Bridges16 January 197217 February 19731 year, 32 days
2Hartley Patterson18 February 197316 February 1974363 days
3Jonathan Simons17 February 197413 April 198511 years, 56 days
4Brin Dunsire14 April 198516 April 19883 years, 2 days
5Alex Lewis17 April 198811 April 19923 years, 360 days
6Amanda Fingleson12 April 199220 April 19964 years, 9 days
7Chris Crawshaw21 April 199619 April 200811 years, 364 days
8Matthew Vernon20 April 20088 January 2009264 days
Sally Kennett8 January 200925 April 2009107 days
9Sally Kennett26 April 200920 April 20133 years, 360 days
10Shaun Gunner21 April 2013present1 year, -21 days

Publications

The Tolkien Society publishes two regular publications:

  • Amon Hen is the bulletin of the Society and is published six times a year.[9]
  • Mallorn is the journal of the Society and is currently published once a year, in the Spring.[10]
  • Quettar was the journal of the Linguistic Fellowship of The Tolkien Society.

Events

The Tolkien Society organises the following events each year:

  • The Birthday Toast is held on 3 January (Tolkien's birthday) every year. The Society encourages Tolkien fans from across the world to toast the Professor at 9pm wherever they are.
  • Tolkien Reading Day, held annually on 25 March, is an international event which promotes the reading of Tolkien's works.
  • The Annual General Meeting (AGM) involves a meeting where formal business (with regard to the running of the Tolkien Society) is discussed, followed by a semi-formal dinner with a guest speaker. It is held each Spring.[11]
  • The Seminar is an event which consists of a programme of talks on a Tolkien-related theme. It is held most summers (around June or July).[12]
  • Oxonmoot is a convention held at an Oxford college on the weekend closest to 22 September, Bilbo and Frodo's birthday.[13]

The Tolkien Society also organises large conferences in order to celebrate an anniversary around J.R.R. Tolkien and/or his works. Past events:

References

  1. Charles E. Noad, "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in Henry Gee (ed.) Mallorn 50, p. 17
  2. "Charity framework - The Tolkien Society", The Charity Commission (accessed 30 June 2012)
  3. Alex Lewis, "Behind Glass Doors" in Andrew Butler (ed.), Amon Hen 238, p. 19
  4. Charles E. Noad, 'The Early Days of the Tolkien Society', A Long-expected Party: Progress Report 1, p. 10
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: II. Reader's Guide, p. 287
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Charles E. Noad, "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in Henry Gee (ed.) Mallorn 50, p. 21
  7. Charles E. Noad, "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in Henry Gee (ed.) Mallorn 50, p. 22
  8. Charles E. Noad, "The Tolkien Society - the early days" in Henry Gee (ed.) Mallorn 50, p. 23
  9. "Amon Hen - The bulleting of the Tolkien Society", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  10. "Mallorn - The Journal of the Tolkien Society", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  11. "About The Annual General Meeting", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  12. "Seminar home page", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  13. "Oxonmoot index page", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  14. "Tolkien Centenary Conference 1992", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  15. "About Tolkien 2005", The Tolkien Society (accessed 7 August 2012)
  16. "The Return of the Ring - Celebrating Tolkien in 2012", The Return of the Ring (accessed 7 August 2012)

External links