Did the Necromancer practice necromancy?

[Lalaith]

Thanks for directing to this thread, Squatter.
I've got a literature-type question which I'm hoping the learned here can answer. Is there any indication in the Letters or elsewhere, which came first, Sauron or the Necromancer?
When Tolkien conceived the Necromancer in the Hobbit, had he already decided that he was Sauron?
Or did he, when writing LotR, think, oh, I know, I'll take that spooky Necromancer I created for the Hobbit and build up his character, he can be a Maian follower-of-Morgoth, he'll become more powerful and be called Sauron.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 10:50 AM February 05, 2004: Message edited by: Lalaith ]