Smaug Is Not a Bookworm

[Zigûr]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

What about that? Why would Bilbo make a written record of his adventures? Not for his heir, apparently, as he was already working on it when Gandalf and Balin came to call long before Frodo was born. Is there any merit to the author's claim?

I'm not sure I can answer this, but what immediately came to mind was this early exchange between Bilbo and Gandalf:

'[...] I might find somewhere where I can finish my book. I have thought of a nice ending for it: and he lived happily ever after to the end of his days.'
Gandalf laughed. I hope he will. But nobody will read the book, however it ends.'
'Oh, they may, in years to come. Frodo has read some already, as far as it has gone. [...]'

This also comes to mind from the final chapter:

'[...]you will read things out of the Red Book, and keep alive the memory of the age that is gone. so that people will remember the Great Danger and so love their beloved land all the more.'