What was the name of J.R.R. Tolkien’s wife before marriage?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s wife was Edith Bratt before their marriage. Tolkien and Edith Bratt married on 22 March 1916 at St Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church in Warwick.

Tolkien met Edith in Birmingham when he was a teenager. Their relationship was initially discouraged by Tolkien’s guardian, Father Francis Morgan, who wanted Tolkien to concentrate on his studies. Tolkien and Edith corresponded after a period of separation, and they became engaged when Tolkien reached the required age.

Edith was not merely a biographical footnote in Tolkien’s life. Her name and character influenced aspects of his mythology, especially the story of Beren and Lúthien. Tolkien regarded that legend as deeply personal, and the names Beren and Lúthien were later placed on the couple’s gravestone.

Edith and Tolkien had four children and remained married until her death in 1971. Tolkien died two years later, in 1973, and was buried beside her in Oxford.