What was the publication date of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit was published on 21 September 1937.

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again was issued by George Allen & Unwin in London. Tolkien originally wrote it as a children’s fantasy story, but its invented history, songs, languages, and connection to a larger mythology gave it unusual depth. The book introduces Bilbo Baggins, who leaves the Shire with Thorin Oakenshield’s company to reclaim treasure from the dragon Smaug.

The novel became a major success and was followed by The Lord of the Rings. Readers sometimes confuse its publication date with the dates of The Lord of the Rings, which appeared in three volumes from 1954 to 1955. The Hobbit came first by nearly two decades and was initially presented as a self-contained adventure.

Tolkien revised parts of the text for later editions, especially the account of Bilbo’s encounter with Gollum, so later readers may notice differences from the first edition.