J.R.R. Tolkien received the Order of the British Empire as a CBE in 1972.
Queen Elizabeth II appointed Tolkien a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1972 New Year Honours. The award recognized his major contribution to English literature and reflected the extraordinary public influence of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Tolkien had already received many academic honors and literary distinctions. His work had transformed the reputation of fantasy fiction, while his professional achievements included decades of teaching and scholarship at Oxford. The CBE was one of the most prominent national honors granted to him during his lifetime.
The award came only one year before Tolkien’s death in 1973. It should not be confused with a knighthood: CBE means Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a distinct rank within the order.