Chance Encounters

Bumping into JRR in the dark – a conversation and a book signed

*Brian Witherden’s College Book Prize copy of The Hobbit, signed by the author © The Tolkien Estate Limited 2023*

One of my most happy and fortunate memories of my time studying at Merton College was meeting Professor Tolkien. After his wife died in 1971, Merton offered him college accommodation for the rest of his life. He paid a visit to College to choose rooms, during which he stayed in the Fellows’ Guestroom, on the ground floor of Fellows 4. It should be noted that Fellows Quad provided accommodation for only three or four students, and the rest of the rooms were College Offices and Tutors’ rooms for study and tutorials (not accommodation). The winter of 1971-72 was one of much industrial action, including regular power cuts (each lasting 3 hours I believe). One evening the power went off at 21:00, so I left my room on the top floor of Fellows 4 to go to the JCR bar. As I bounded down the last of the stairs in total darkness, secure in the knowledge that no-one could be at the bottom of my staircase in the evening, I quite literally bumped into an old gentleman. After dusting ourselves down and making apologies I ended up walking around College with the Professor for the next three hours, absolutely captivated by how friendly he was. One of my main recollections was of him referring to himself as an Emeritus Fellow from the Latin 'e' meaning 'out of it' and 'meritus' meaning 'deservedly so'. Later, after he moved into his chosen rooms in 21 Merton Street, I visited him to have a copy of his books signed (bought with my College Book prize awarded for a First in Finals in 1972, and thus with a College Crest stamped on the cover of each volume). I recall Professor Tolkien as very College oriented and always happy to sign any books for Mertonians.

-Brian Witherden (1971)

*The Fellowship of the Ring: one of the Lord of the Rings trilogy signed for Brian Witherden by Tolkien © The Tolkien Estate Limited 2023*

Seated next to Tolkien at dinner: an introduction to Oxford

I went to Oxford on a scholarship to complete my DPhil commencing October 1972. At my first formal dinner at Merton, I was sat between two 'old' men (I would not see them as quite so old now!). On my right was Professor Sir Alister Hardy FRS, an incredibly distinguished marine biologist who also illustrated his own books and wrote about religion. I did not speak to the person to my left for a while but he did look familiar. When we did have a conversation, I realised it was JRR Tolkien. What an introduction to Oxford/Merton! It was experiences like this that for me was so special about my time in Oxford.

-Paul Martin

Getting it right at High Table

*A view from above of High Table in 2023*

It brought to mind something which I have never forgotten while a Lecturer in Physics at Merton in 1972/73. I had High Table dining rights but I was also a ‘new boy’ in the SCR. At my first dinner on High Table I did everything wrong from even the start, as I put down my sherry glass and headed for the door down the steps to High Table after the Steward had announced that ‘dinner is served,’ or words of that ilk.

Just as I got within striking distance of the steward, he gently put out his arm and said ‘A moment Sir, you don’t come that near the front’. I had not been made aware of SCR status and its application in the path to nourishment!

As a mere lecturer, I had to wait my turn (at the back). On arrival down the stairs into hall, I was confronted with no laid seat anywhere. Having stood for an awkward moment, the steward quietly said in my ear, ‘it’s OK sir, after Grace we will lay your place. It’s Mr Barton again. He never remembers to sign in’!

And sure enough, the place was laid next to a fellow whom I didn’t recognise, until he’d answered my question after he had first asked me who I was. It was the great JRR Tolkien, whose conversation I then enjoyed for dinner.

I have never forgotten that evening’s dinner!

-John Dainton (1966)