Who was J.R.R. Tolkien’s wife from 1916 until her death in 1971?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s wife was Edith Tolkien, whom he married in 1916.

Edith Bratt met Tolkien when he was a teenager, and the two formed a close relationship despite opposition from Tolkien’s guardian. Tolkien later described the relationship between Beren and Lúthien as reflecting aspects of their own love story.

The couple married on 22 March 1916, shortly before Tolkien served in the First World War. Edith and Tolkien had four children: John, Michael, Christopher, and Priscilla. Edith also inspired Tolkien’s image of Lúthien, while Tolkien associated himself with the mortal hero Beren.

Edith died in 1971, and Tolkien died two years later. Their shared grave in Oxford is marked with the names “Beren” and “Lúthien,” linking their family history with one of Tolkien’s most important legends.