J.R.R. Tolkien’s first novel, The Hobbit, was published in 1937.
The book appeared in London on 21 September 1937, published by George Allen & Unwin. It introduced readers to Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, and the dragon Smaug, presenting a lighter adventure that later became connected to the much larger mythology of The Lord of the Rings.
The Hobbit began as a children’s fantasy story, but its world contained elements from Tolkien’s developing legendarium. The discovery of the One Ring in the book became especially important when Tolkien expanded the story into a sequel.
Some readers confuse the publication year with the date of the later film adaptations or with the publication years of The Lord of the Rings. The novel came first, in 1937; The Lord of the Rings followed in three volumes from 1954 to 1955.