What was the name of J.R.R. Tolkien’s first child, born in 1917?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s first child, born in 1917, was John Francis Reuel Tolkien.

John was born on 16 November 1917 to J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Bratt. He later became a Catholic priest and served as a parish priest in England. His religious vocation was a significant part of his adult life.

John was the eldest of Tolkien’s four children. His siblings were Michael, Christopher, and Priscilla. Christopher later became especially prominent as the editor of his father’s posthumously published writings, which can make the family’s roles easy to confuse.

The year 1917 is also notable because Tolkien was serving in the British Army during the First World War. He and Edith had married earlier that year, and their first child was born while Tolkien was recovering from illness after military service.