Which Tolkien novel introduces Bilbo Baggins as its central character?

The Tolkien novel that introduces Bilbo Baggins as its central character is The Hobbit. Published in 1937, it follows Bilbo, a comfort-loving hobbit recruited by the wizard Gandalf to join Thorin Oakenshield and a company of dwarves.

The company travels to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim treasure from the dragon Smaug. During the journey, Bilbo finds a magical ring in the Misty Mountains and meets Gollum. The Hobbit therefore introduces several elements later central to The Lord of the Rings, although it began as a more self-contained children’s fantasy.

Tolkien wrote the story for his children and developed it from his broader invented mythology. Its first edition was illustrated by Tolkien himself and became a commercial and critical success. The book’s success helped persuade his publisher to request a sequel.

The Hobbit is not the first published work set in Tolkien’s wider mythology, but it is the first published Middle-earth story centered on Bilbo. The Lord of the Rings later identifies Bilbo’s ring as the One Ring.