In Memoriam - Humphrey Carpenter

[Starflower]

Humphrey William Bouverie Carpenter, author, broadcaster and musician, born April 29 1946; died January 4 2005.

A brilliant mind, best known to us here as the writer of the authoritative Tolkien biography
exerpt from the obituary in the Guardian yesterday:


His breakthrough came with a biography of JRR Tolkien (1977), an Oxford neighbour whose The Lord Of The Rings was just gaining an international reputation. He followed this up with a study of the "Inklings", the literary group to which Tolkien had belonged, a book which won the Somerset Maugham Award in 1978
the full obituary can be read here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,1383352,00.html)

[Arvedui]

That is just sad! :(

Thank you for all the valuable details you have provided for us, mr Carpenter.

R.I.P.

[Barliman Butterbur]

Humphrey William Bouverie Carpenter, author, broadcaster and musician, born April 29 1946; died January 4 2005.

Sad news indeed! Carpenter made an invaluable contribution to research about Tolkien.

I believe (not sure at the moment) that Carpenter was one of the interviewees included in the Jackson Appendices of the movie trilogy, and he might be also included in the DVD entitled "J.R.R. Tolkien: Master of the Rings." (Possibly available at www.eaglevisionusa.com and also www.eaglevision-int.com )

Requiescat in pace.

Barley

[alcesta]

What a waste...premature, indeed. :(
His biography made me love Tolkien even more and helped me to understand him better. R.I.P. :(

[Tengai]

Sad news and a great waste.

Without words

[baragund]

This was in yesterday's Washington Post.

...58. That means he was in his twenties when he wrote Tolkien's biography.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59831-2005Jan8.html

[GuardianRanger]

Just sad.
:(

As much I as love reading the stories of Middle Earth, I like reading about Middle Earth and its creation. I've found Carpenter's Biography and, with Christopher Tolkien, Letters to be invaluable references.

[Niniel]

I hadn't seen this thread or heard the news yet. Very sad indeed! I really liked his edition of the Letters, and the Biography gave me a lot of insight into Tolkien as a person. May he rest in peace.