About the Author

Humphrey Carpenter was born in Oxford in 1946 and has spent most of his life in that city. He read English Language and Literature at Keble College, Oxford, and met Professor J.R.R. Tolkien on a number of occasions. For some years he worked for the BBC as a radio producer and broadcaster and has won acclaim as a top biographer, including the recent and controversial biography of Robert Runcie.

Reviews

‘One of the most interesting and readable biographies of a literary figure.’ The Times ‘The story is rich and beautifully told.’ Sunday Times ‘Absolutely fascinating.’ Daily Mail ‘A painstaking and often moving account.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Humphrey Carpenter’s plain, unvarnished tale is absolutely gripping.’ Times Literary Supplement