Letter No #7: To the Electors of the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professorship of Anglo-Saxon
In the summer of 1925, J.R.R. Tolkien, then only thirty-three years old and a lecturer at Leeds University, took a significant step in his academic career by applying for the prestigious Rawlinson and Bosworth Professorship of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. The position had become available following the resignation of W.A. Craigie, prompting Tolkien to submit a formal letter of application dated June 27, 1925, where he outlined both his qualifications and his vision for the role.
Tolkien's letter to the electors is not only a summary of his academic credentials but also a compelling insight into his passion for Anglo-Saxon studies and his broader educational philosophy. He begins by emphasising the allure of the chair, which he sees as an ideal platform to express and communicate his "instructed enthusiasm for Anglo-Saxon studies and for the study of the other Old Germanic languages." His desire to be re-associated with Oxford, where he had been both an undergraduate and a tutor, is clear. He notes his ongoing connection to the university, despite his five-year tenure at Leeds, particularly highlighting his role as an Examiner in the Final Schools.
Tolkien details his academic journey starting from his entrance into Exeter College as a Stapledon Exhibitioner in 1911. He briefly recounts his military service during World War I and his subsequent work on the Oxford English Dictionary before moving to Leeds in 1920. There, he was tasked with developing the linguistic side of a growing School of English Studies—a challenge he embraced with notable success, as evidenced by the significant increase in students specialising in linguistics under his tutelage.
In Leeds, Tolkien's efforts led to a vibrant and comprehensive program in English and Germanic philology. He proudly lists the courses he has introduced and taught, covering a wide array of subjects from Old English heroic verse to Medieval Welsh. Notably, he emphasises the success of Old Icelandic studies, which had become a special point of development under his guidance. His description of creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment, including the formation of a Viking Club by his students, illustrates his innovative approach to academia—one that blends rigorous study with lively discussion and community-building activities.
Tolkien acknowledges that the administrative and teaching demands of his position at Leeds have limited his opportunities for publishable research. However, he expresses a strong commitment to advancing his scholarly output should he be elected to the Oxford chair. His vision extends beyond personal research, aiming to foster a closer relationship between linguistic and literary studies, which he believes are "never enemies except by misunderstanding or without loss to both."
The letter concludes with Tolkien underscoring his dedication to nurturing philological enthusiasm among young scholars, an objective he hopes to continue and expand upon in the more fertile academic environment of Oxford. His closing remarks reflect a scholar deeply committed to his field and eager to contribute to its growth at one of the world's leading universities.
This application letter not only showcases Tolkien’s scholarly ambitions and achievements but also highlights his educational philosophy, which values interdisciplinary and active student engagement. For fans and scholars of Tolkien, this letter is a window into his life at a pivotal moment, demonstrating his profound dedication to the study of language and its capacity to enrich understanding across various literary and cultural landscapes.