Who was J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary executor and editor of The Silmarillion?

Christopher Tolkien was J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary executor and the editor of The Silmarillion.

Born in 1924, Christopher was Tolkien’s third son. He became deeply familiar with his father’s manuscripts and papers, partly because Tolkien had discussed Middle-earth material with him for many years and had made him a mapmaker for The Lord of the Rings.

After Tolkien died in 1973, Christopher edited The Silmarillion for publication in 1977. He also prepared Unfinished Tales and the twelve-volume History of Middle-earth, which documents the development of Tolkien’s mythology and stories.

Christopher’s editorial work was not simply transcription. Tolkien left multiple versions, abandoned passages, and conflicting developments, so Christopher had to arrange and sometimes select material. His books are therefore essential sources for understanding how Tolkien’s legendarium evolved.