Christopher Tolkien

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Some might say that this has given him a job for life and an income etc

And "some" ought to know better, since CT certainly has no lack of money! Had he chosen to, he could have lived like Paris Hilton and a Saudi playboy rolled into one- and if he really wanted more loot, it would have been vastly easier and more profitable to sell out to crass commercialization than to spend years on the minimal-return HoME.

Instead, he lives quite modestly considering his means- rather like Bilbo, I suppose: "comfortably well-off," not "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." I note also that his children have all gone out to earn a living, not loll around like idle trust-fund kids. And as noted above the Tolkien Trust has made a point of generous, even lavish philanthropy.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

It has always baffled me that people who presumably admire JRRT, could think him so blinded in judgement that they believe that the child he had such a close relationship with was a monster.

Well, there would be historical precedents: Marcus Aurelius the philosopher-emperor positively doted on his son Commodus, even though everyone around them knew the boy was an absolute stinker.

But this of course was *not* the case with JRRT!

[Galin]

I haven't much to add as Mr. Hicklin's posts above have essentially spoken for me.

So well said indeed (and I just wanted to say so)!

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

And "some" ought to know better, since CT certainly has no lack of money! Had he chosen to, he could have lived like Paris Hilton and a Saudi playboy rolled into one- and if he really wanted more loot, it would have been vastly easier and more profitable to sell out to crass commercialization than to spend years on the minimal-return HoME.

Instead, he lives quite modestly considering his means- rather like Bilbo, I suppose: "comfortably well-off," not "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." I note also that his children have all gone out to earn a living, not loll around like idle trust-fund kids. And as noted above the Tolkien Trust has made a point of generous, even lavish philanthropy.

Indeed.

It's sour grapes to say that CT has 'fed' off the memory and legacy of his father because had he wished it, CT could have really exploited the literary estate and us fans! His father after all gave him carte blanche to do what he wanted with the papers and many less scrupulous sons would have sold them off like the family silver.

Tolkien left his family with something which could provide a modest income to keep them safe for a number of years, or something they could exploit and they have chosen the former. Quietly respectable I'd say.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

His father after all gave him carte blanche to do what he wanted with the papers and many less scrupulous sons would have sold them off like the family silver.

Absolutely. Given that a single JRRT letter goes for thousands at auction these days, imagine the cash bonanza had CRT taken the truckload of manuscript pages he inherited and flogged them at Sotheby's! Instead, after editing them for publication he has donated them gratis to Marquette or the Bodleian.

[radagastly]

I seem to recall that Mozart's wife got "so much" per page of his music when he died. CT has done quite well by his father, I'd say. Not to mention that his role as "first reader" made him (at least in this case) almost a co-author.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

I note also that his children have all gone out to earn a living, not loll around like idle trust-fund kids.

I forgot to mention that Adam has translated the Book of Lost Tales into French which is an impressive achievement. I know he grew up there but it is usual to translate into ones "langue maternelle" and having studied French to a high level and lived there I can fully appreciate the magnitude of that achievement. It is nice that he has had a scholarly involvement with the works as translator and it seems with CoH.

[Sauron the White]

Thank you to William for his several posts here. They have been both illuminating and educational for me.